Over 17 000 people from 85 countries sought refuge in Bulgaria for the last 15 years. A refugee status has been given to 1 449 people, and humanitarian – to 4 085 people, said Anna Andreeva from the National agency for refugees on a press conference.

In 2008, 719 people sought refuge. 24 people were given refugee status, and 266 – humanitary status. These people are of various age, from children to elderly, reveals the media agecy Focus. The Bulgarian refugees are mostly from countries like Iraq, Afganistan and other countries from the Middle East – Iran, Turkey, and even some African countries.

The refugee status, according to The Geneva Conventions, are given to a person in a foreign territory that can not return to his or her homeland due to justified reasons – religious, ethnical or social persecution, etc.