The numerous campaigns, donations and commitment of Bulgarian citizens in aid of the refugees from the war in Ukraine have been proving to us for 12 days now that philanthropy in our souls is still alive and we know how to show it. Another good example in this direction is the initiative of the National Association of Volunteers in the Republic of Bulgaria which aims to find the largest possible number of volunteers who are ready to help them throughout the country. The number of respondents so far is over 150, as well as 100 doctors who provide medical examinations and care to refugees who seek them, and they are mainly women with children, pregnant women and elderly people.

"That is why it was important for us to find doctors fluent in Russian or Ukrainian who are ready to assist and help those in need," the chairman of the Association of Volunteers, Yasen Tsvetkov,  said in an interview for Radio Bulgaria.

• A number of hospitals in Bulgaria provide free assistance to refugees from Ukraine
  

The association, established in 2014, brings together civilians who are willing to help institutions during emergencies.

"Currently, our members are over 40 municipalities, the fire department, the National Association of Municipalities, 7 clubs that carry out activities similar to volunteer organizations, as well as individuals," Yasen Tsvetkov explained, adding that the number of volunteer organizations across the country is 240.

"They belong to the municipalities and are part of the unified rescue system of the country. The people in them have undergone specialized trainings, they have equipment, protective gear and clothing. Currently, there are 3,100 registered and ready-to-work volunteers in the country. Their intervention can be demanded via an order of the fire brigade, when additional forces are needed. After that, the mayor of the respective municipality issues an order activating the detachment."

Bulgaria’s National Association of Volunteers is actively working to raise public awareness in relation to disasters caused by human activity or natural disasters, but Yasen Tsvetkov admits that this activity requires systematic efforts:

"Our task is to identify the missing elements, gaps or shortcomings in the disaster response system and try to fill them in so it can operate more effectively. We organize various trainings, lectures and seminars both for volunteers from the organizations and for citizens, including children and students”.

For this purpose, they have an online learning platform available that helps them conduct theoretical training. "The practical classes are held in different places in the country. We use the facilities of the fire brigades as well as training centres and training grounds in different municipalities which are members of the association," Yasen Tsvetkov explains.

English version: Rositsa Petkova