Tsvetlin Yovchev, Vice Premier and Interior Minister reported at the sitting that around 200 illegal migrants cross Bulgaria’s border every day and if the trend continues until the end of the year the number will reach 11 000 people.

He reported that since the beginning of the year until the end of September, 5815 illegal migrants have entered Bulgaria’s territory, most of them seeking protection. This number is 7 times more than the one in 2012. 2377 persons have crossed  the border in the month of September,2013 alone. Yovchev noted the most serious risk consists in the outburst of a humanitarian crisis, health epidemics and infectious diseases, as well as the possibility of people connected to terrorist groups geting into the country, increase of social tensions and criminal activity in the places for accommodation of the refugees.

The Minister announced that the capacity of the Centers is outgrown by 500 people. There are 1300 places already available and preparations for another 1500 are ongoing. Tsvetlin Yovchev reported that there were difficulties with the supply of food, medicines and vaccines, sanitation and hygiene products but the crisis is slowly put under control.

The procedure for granting refugee status has been cut short thus allowing for the applicants' papers to be handled faster. A temporary center, which to start operating on Monday, was established in the town of Elhovo. At this place the refugees receive medical care and their documents are processed.

There is no information about epidemic outbreaks or infectious diseases, said Boyko Penkov, Deputy Health Minister at the meeting. He added the immunization calendars of Bulgaria and Syria are identical, but information is lacking about the last 3 years of immunizations held on some children. He assured that vaccinations will be carried out in Bulgaria for cases where written documents are absent.

He explained that at the moment there is no need to update the budget of the National Health Insurance Fund to provide for the health care and coverage of the refugees.

The new head of the State Agency for Migration, Nikolay Chirpanliev has attended the sitting as well.