Today, we share with you an interview with one of our friends in Bulgaria, she talked us about the refugees situation in Ovcha Kupel refugee camp in Sofia.
What is the life in the refugee camp in Ovcha Kupel, Bulgaria?
Just passing near the refugee camp in Ovcha Kupel Bulgaria is kind of scary and makes you turn your head the other way. I think this is part of the reason why not many people have visited or have any information about the life inside the walls. Entering the building – the first thing you feel is misery, coldness and sadness in a way. The way everything looks is like abandoned and lost life. Like there is no tomorrow in a way. And that is the worst thing, because all of those people, came here in order to find a better tomorrow for themselves. At the end of the day, at least there are no bombs going over their heads, but still, is this life some would ask? So the life in the refugee camp is not a real life. It is more like a competition for survival, you know like the ones on TV. So the life is simple and miserable in the same way – you have a roof over your head and some kind of bed, you get food and if you are lucky enough medical care and vaccines. This is if you arrive at the right time. If not you just wait. Most rooms are super basic, but that is what you get here.
Where do the refugees come from?
There are refugees from literally everywhere. If they don’t have documents they get stuck here – those are most from African countries. But right now Syrian refugees are the most amount I would say.
What are the life conditions that the poorest nation in the European Union could offer to them?
The conditions are not that different from other countries if you end up in a refugee camp. They get food, beds, some language help and medical care. Not the best one in any case, but still it is there.
Why do you think they choose to stay in Bulgaria?
I don’t think they choose it. If they don’t have documents or are not able to get them here, they just have to stay, this is the law. Most of them choose Bulgaria for a place just to pass through in order to get to central Europe.
About your feelings to see and stay close to them: what was the first thing that came to your mind?
The main problem was the lack of communication. Most of the refugees were either new to the camp or did not really decide to integrate in order to get out of Bulgaria as fast as possible. Next though was about the fact that they might have been in awful conditions in order to choose that. Then you just hope first of all, for life to be better for them and especially the children there. And then you pray just to never be in the position they are in.
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