Jewish humanitarian, philanthropist Yank Barry frees 50 Syrian refugees in Bulgaria

Yank Barry waiting to deliver food-filled vans to Syrian refugee camps in Bulgaria

More than 50 Syrian refugees, many of them children, are beginning new lives in Bulgaria thanks to philanthropist, humanitarian and Global Village Champions Foundation co-founder Yank Barry.

The families, who fled Syria, are getting a chance at a fresh start. Up until Barry, a multimillionaire Jewish businessman, intervened and arranged for their freedom, they were living in squalor, in some cases inhumane conditions, in one of four refugee camps in Bulgaria.

As the only country in the region accepting refugees, Bulgaria’s refugee camps are greatly over capacity, often doubling in size in a week’s time, and the country lacks the funding to do more.

“We brought food today; we’re taking some families out today,” Barry told one individual in the camps. “We have been helping Syrian families across the country. There’s only so much we can do.”

Barry along with Global Village Champions ambassador and boxing legend, Evander Holyfield, has visited several refugee camps to get a first-hand look at the situation, remove the families by van and take them to their new homes at a renovated Sofia hotel complete with granite counter-tops and marble floors.

Today, at one of the camps in Sofia, Barry heard about the situation a family of 17 living in a room designed to accommodate only four, so Barry invited them to the hotel.

“It was a spur of the moment decision. We were able to accommodate the family, and I decided to do it and I am so happy I did,” said Barry. “The kids had smiles on their faces. That was incredible.”

At their new home, the new refugees will receive lessons in Bulgarian, health care and room and board.

Barry has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize. He founded Global Village in 1995 with longtime friend and boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Up until now, Barry has tried to keep a low profile.

During the Holocaust, Bulgaria refused to acquiesce to the Nazis and hand over a single Jew. 

Barry employs many Bulgarians at a manufacturing plant for a product called Propectin which Barry owns, which is a division of Vitapro International.

Barry says he identifies with the plight of Syrian refugees, who like Jews in the 1940s, became innocent victims.

“They are people. They are good people. I will continue to do as much as I can to help,” says Barry.

For more information, photos and video of Global Village Champion Foundation and Yank Barry’s relief efforts with Syrian refugees, please visit http://thepublicityagency.com/global-village-champions-bulgaria-press-kit/