A country under pressure

It’s hard to talk of poverty in one of the poorest countries in the European Union, especially when the latest figures fail to provide reasons for hope or improvement, as highlighted in the Report “Analysis of poverty and social exclusion”, presented October 18 by Caritas Sofia on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the foundation of the organization in Bulgaria. Figures were collected in Caritas centres in the area of the Exarchate for Catholics of Eastern rite in Bulgaria. The project is funded by Caritas Italy. Increasing unemployment. The report shows that unemployment rates in the Country increase every day, along with the number of young people in search of a job (20.5% of the overall population.) Their situation is worsening because of the lack of professional specialised training. 51.4% of those who turned to Caritas for help are unemployed. Surging trends also involve young people under 35 seeking the help of the organization (31.7% of all those assisted). Interviews with Caritas workers show that 81.0% of those in need lack the support of their families. The number of homeless also doubled in the years 2011-2013.Recommendations from the authorities. For National Caritas surging unemployment rates prevent the achievement of the ‘Europe 2020′ goals launched three years ago by the EU. “Despite measures undertaken by several governments, the negative trend is ongoing”, said Caritas Bulgaria general secretary Emanuil Patashev. In his opinion, “the Roma register the highest poverty rates” (accounting for 5% of the overall population). Only 30.9% of Roma have a job and many of their children don’t attend school. According to the director of Caritas Sofia, Zvetomir Dumanov, a continuation of social policies is needed, especially in small cities as often when a new mayor is elected social policies also change”.Increasing poverty. “The ongoing crisis further worsens poverty levels, impacting most severely those in dire conditions”, Dumanov added. These include old people who receive a pension ranging between 80 and 100 euros a month. Conversely from their peers in Western Europe, states the report, Bulgarian pensioners feel the burden of everyday life, as many of them have no access to healthcare and social activities. The situation of refugees. With the worsening of the conflict in Syria, the numbers of refugees arriving in Damascus increased twenty-fold in 2012. “This flow of people arriving in Bulgaria is a real challenge for Bulgarian authorities and for our society”; said the vice-President of the national Refugees’ Agency Stojan Petrov. For monsignor Hristo Proykov, president of Bulgarian bishops, “the critical situation is due to Bulgaria’s limited resources”. “If Catholics are among the Syrian refugees, we can give them also spiritual support”, the apostolic exarch told SIR Europe. “Next winter, when Sofia will reach very low temperatures, it will be very hard for the refugees”, he added. The Catholic Exarchate is planning to distribute warm meals. One of the main problems of Syrian refugees is that they don’t speak Bulgarian, which prevents them from seeing a doctor, even though they are entitled to free medical assistance. The language barrier also thwarts children’s placement in schools and the search of a job. “Syrian refugees include skilled professionals”, said Ivan Ceresciarov, from Caritas Sofia, “but unfortunately they have no document to prove it”. Ceresciarov warned of “xenophobic trends fuelled by certain movements present within Bulgarian society”. “It is a very dangerous phenomenon”, said Msgr. Proykov, who exhorted the faithful “to welcome the refugees as we are taught by Pope Francis”.