Bulgaria ranks first in Europe by the number of abandoned children under the age of three, the "For Our Children" Foundation announced Monday.

For 2007, there have been 2083 newborn and toddlers, who have been listed in orphanages. Each year, 50 to 60 children die in those orphanages, mostly children with severe disabilities.

According to experts, it is common for parents to abandon their children after they find out that they have disabilities. Data further reveals that most abandoned children come from single or unemployed parents.

The parents of nearly 70% of the abandoned children never visit them while 20% visit the orphanage once a week. 10% of the abandoned children have been born to underage girls.

"The Director of the "Four Our children" Foundation, Elka Nalbantova, stated that the fist years were crucial for the development of a child, which for institutionalized children depended on the time they spend at the home.

"Unfortunately, in Bulgaria, there is a steady trend for the children's stay at the orphanage to become longer and longer," Nalbantova said.

About 70% of the institutionalized children are Roma minorities and are not wanted for adoption. Most of the children from Bulgarian ethnic background have an unclear legal status, which is an obstacle for their adoption.

The Foundation further informed that due to their campaign "Don't Abandon Me," 13 babies have been saved from living in an orphanage.

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