Lessons Learned Report - Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries: Bulgarian Red Cross (May 2026)

Countries: Bulgaria, Ukraine Sources: Bulgarian Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Context The international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine resulted in a widespread displacement of people from Ukraine since February 2022, with some seeking refuge in Bulgaria. This led to a total 2.3 million people displaced from Ukraine entering the territory of Bulgaria over the period between 2022 and 2025. With more than 200,000 displaced people from Ukraine registering for temporary protection between 2022 and 2025, the regional branches of the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) were significantly affected by the sudden and large influx of people seeking assistance. This situation directly prompted the BRC to launch a nationwide fundraising campaign to mobilize resources and provide timely support to those in need. Despite the overwhelming support, the continued flow of newly arriving people meant that the BRC required additional support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) through the Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries. This support enabled the BRC to deliver essential humanitarian assistance, including livelihoods support, hygiene items, health and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. The Council of the European Union (EU) activated the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) on 4 March, 2022, granting immediate, harmonized rights (residence, work, housing, education and medical assistance) to millions displaced people from Ukraine. In June 2025, the Council of the EU agreed to extend temporary protection status for displaced people from Ukraine until 4 March 2027. Initially, the majority of displaced people from Ukraine planned to rem...

Original source: Relief Web