Provision of social and psychological support to asylum seekers in Bulgaria

Under this project IOM will provide social and psychological support to asylum seekers during their initial adaptation in Bulgaria as well as identification and support of vulnerable groups. An expert team consisting of psychologist (1), social worker (1) and cultural mediator (1) will provide services in SAR reception centers in the country (Sofia, Harmanli, Pastrogor, Baniya) and at the premises of IOM offices (Sofia and Harmanli). To strengthen the communication with institutions, the consulting team will be supported by experts, based in Sofia and Harmanli offices who will schedule consultations, and support the access to health and social services. The work of the team will include: initial vulnerability assessment of asylum seekers accommodated in SAR reception centers/at external addresses during the adaptation phase to the life in Bulgaria, individual consultations, and support of access to services. The psychological consultations will address problems related to anxiety, lack of satisfaction with the asylum procedure, crisis interventions, support of SAR with psychological assessments, risk assessment, assessments of the best interest of the child, work with vulnerable groups. The social work will address difficulties related to access to social and health services, introduction to the social and/or administrative framework in Bulgaria, support with child raising, social work with vulnerable groups incl. unaccompanied children. The experts will be supported by a cultural mediator who will help with bridging any existing communication gaps, explain the cultural and social differences and create a relationship build on trust. A team of interpreters from rare languages will provide interpretation support. As part of the work, the expert team will refer beneficiaries to other services provided by IOM and/or other partner organizations. The expected number of beneficiaries to be reached through these integration measures is minimum 1500 asylum seekers.

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