Refugee centres are full, thousands of emergency beds are needed
3 years, 3 months ago

Refugee centres are full, thousands of emergency beds are needed

Dutch News  

Asylum seekers centres in the Netherlands are full and several thousand emergency beds will be needed to meet demand, refugee settlement agency COA has confirmed. The 30,000 places in refugee centres are all taken and this means sports halls and other large buildings need to be converted into temporary accommodation to deal with new arrivals, COA said. Some 11,000 beds in regular refugee centres are currently lived in by people who have residency permits and are waiting to be settled in normal housing. The last time emergency beds were needed was in 2015, when thousands of Syrian refugees came to the Netherlands.

Netherlands Refugee Emergency Beds Refugee Centres  needed  netherlands  refugees  refugee  waiting  coa  beds  centres  emergency  thousands

History of this topic

Refugees were allocated 6% of social housing in 2021
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Refugees were allocated 6% of social housing in 2021

Dutch News  

Despite claims that refugees with residency permits are being given priority in social housing, they accounted for just 6% of new rent-controlled housing corporation tenants in 2021, according to research by national statistics agency CBS. That year, 169,000 housing corporation homes became available for new tenants and just under 10,000 were allocated to refugee families, the CBS said. In Alkmaar, …

Pressure on asylum reception remains high in 2024, additional places needed
1 year, 1 month ago

Pressure on asylum reception remains high in 2024, additional places needed

NL Times  

The reception of asylum seekers will remain under pressure in 2024, as there will be a high influx and too little outflow of status holders to regular housing. As a result, several tens of thousands of additional shelter places may be needed next year, according to the six-monthly Multi-Year Production Forecast that outgoing State Secretary Christophe van der Maat has …

Rules to spread refugees nationwide come a step nearer
1 year, 3 months ago

Rules to spread refugees nationwide come a step nearer

Dutch News  

Controversial legislation to ensure all local authorities have to provide a certain number of beds for refugees will now pass in the lower house parliament because a majority of MPs are in favour. Research published by RTL Nieuws a year ago showed that more than half of Dutch local councils have not provided any housing for refugees in the past …

Rules to spread refugees nationwide come a step nearer
1 year, 3 months ago

Rules to spread refugees nationwide come a step nearer

Dutch News  

Controversial legislation to ensure all local authorities have to provide a certain number of beds for refugees will now pass in the lower house parliament because a majority of MPs are in favour. Research published by RTL Nieuws a year ago showed that more than half of Dutch local councils have not provided any housing for refugees in the past …

98% of accommodation spaces for Ukrainian refugees currently occupied
1 year, 5 months ago

98% of accommodation spaces for Ukrainian refugees currently occupied

NL Times  

Every week, approximately 700 to 1,000 Ukrainians fleeing from the war continue to arrive in the Netherlands. Jaap Donker, the director of the Utrecht Safety Region, who has been overseeing the accommodation of Ukrainians and the emergency sheltering of asylum seekers on behalf of all safety regions, stated that by January 1, 2024, 90,000 places should be available. In February, …

No end in sight to refugee bed crisis, thousands could be homeless: NRC
1 year, 11 months ago

No end in sight to refugee bed crisis, thousands could be homeless: NRC

Dutch News  

The Netherlands faces ‘social disruption’ if there is no speedy solution to the shortage of housing for refugees, the NRC reported on Friday, quoting internal documents from settlement agency COA, the IND immigration service and justice ministry. The documents make it clear there is ‘no end in sight’ and that the agencies fear a couple of thousand refugees could end …

No end in sight to refugee bed crisis, thousands could be homeless: NRC
1 year, 11 months ago

No end in sight to refugee bed crisis, thousands could be homeless: NRC

Dutch News  

The Netherlands faces ‘social disruption’ if there is no speedy solution to the shortage of housing for refugees, the NRC reported on Friday, quoting internal documents from settlement agency COA, the IND immigration service and justice ministry. The documents make it clear there is ‘no end in sight’ and that the agencies fear a couple of thousand refugees could end …

Netherlands needs 20,000 more shelter spots for Ukrainian refugees
2 years ago

Netherlands needs 20,000 more shelter spots for Ukrainian refugees

NL Times  

The Dutch government believes that the number of Ukrainian refugees present in the Netherlands will continue to increase in the coming period. The Cabinet is considering having Ukrainians who earn an income help pay for their accommodation themselves, said State Secretary Eric van der Burg, who handles asylum issues for the Cabinet. Now that it looks like Ukrainian refugees will …

Dutch municipalities unsure how to handle a new influx of Ukrainian refugees this winter
2 years, 1 month ago

Dutch municipalities unsure how to handle a new influx of Ukrainian refugees this winter

NL Times  

The winter weather in Ukraine will continue to get colder in the coming week as the country struggles to make repairs after Russian attacks took out large portions of its energy infrastructure. Temperatures in Kyiv could fall below -8 degrees Celsius next week, prompting Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra to say the Netherlands will be ready to take more refugees …

100 beds found for young refugees, but 1,700 are needed
2 years, 1 month ago

100 beds found for young refugees, but 1,700 are needed

Dutch News  

The Netherlands’ 344 local authorities have come up with just 100 beds for young asylum seekers who arrived in the country without parents, following an appeal in October for 1,700. Without more beds, there is a ‘real risk’ that some youngsters may end up sleeping on the streets, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg warned at the time. Refugee …

100 beds found for young refugees, but 1,700 are needed
2 years, 1 month ago

100 beds found for young refugees, but 1,700 are needed

Dutch News  

The Netherlands’ 344 local authorities have come up with just 100 beds for young asylum seekers who arrived in the country without parents, following an appeal in October for 1,700. Without more beds, there is a ‘real risk’ that some youngsters may end up sleeping on the streets, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg warned at the time. Refugee …

Refugee numbers top 10,600 in Q3, led by Syrians and Afghans
2 years, 2 months ago

Refugee numbers top 10,600 in Q3, led by Syrians and Afghans

Dutch News  

Over 10,600 people made a first request for asylum status in the Netherlands in the third quarter of this year, according to figures from the immigration service IND. The largest group – 4,600 – came from Syria, followed by nearly 1,000 people from Afghanistan and 935 from Turkey, national statistics agency CBS said, citing figures sourced from the IND. More …

Just one council offers space for child refugees after minister's appeal
2 years, 2 months ago

Just one council offers space for child refugees after minister's appeal

Dutch News  

Just one local council has come forward to say it will make extra beds available for child refugees, dozens of whom are currently sleeping on office floors at the Ter Apel reception centre. Junior justice minister Eric van der Burg made an appeal to all 345 local councils last month, saying 1,700 beds were needed for young asylum seekers who …

Just one council offers space for child refugees after minister's appeal
2 years, 2 months ago

Just one council offers space for child refugees after minister's appeal

Dutch News  

Just one local council has come forward to say it will make extra beds available for child refugees, dozens of whom are currently sleeping on office floors at the Ter Apel reception centre. Junior justice minister Eric van der Burg made an appeal to all 345 local councils last month, saying 1,700 beds were needed for young asylum seekers who …

Minister appeals again for councils to house young refugees
2 years, 3 months ago

Minister appeals again for councils to house young refugees

Dutch News  

Junior justice minister Eric van der Burg has made yet another urgent appeal to local councils to come up with beds for refugees – this time for 1,700 places for youngsters who have travelled to the Netherlands without their parents. ‘I would ask you all, as a matter of real urgency, to prevent us reaching an absolute low point,’ Van …

Minister appeals again for councils to house young refugees
2 years, 3 months ago

Minister appeals again for councils to house young refugees

Dutch News  

Junior justice minister Eric van der Burg has made yet another urgent appeal to local councils to come up with beds for refugees – this time for 1,700 places for youngsters who have travelled to the Netherlands without their parents. ‘I would ask you all, as a matter of real urgency, to prevent us reaching an absolute low point,’ Van …

Despite the crisis, the number of beds for refugees has gone down
2 years, 3 months ago

Despite the crisis, the number of beds for refugees has gone down

Dutch News  

The number of beds for asylum seekers has actually fallen, despite government efforts to get local authorities to allocate more places, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg said at the weekend. Many contracts for emergency accommodation between councils and refugee settlement agency COA expired at the end of September and the net reduction in beds is around 1,250, Van …

Despite the crisis, the number of beds for refugees has gone down
2 years, 3 months ago

Despite the crisis, the number of beds for refugees has gone down

Dutch News  

The number of beds for asylum seekers has actually fallen, despite government efforts to get local authorities to allocate more places, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg said at the weekend. Many contracts for emergency accommodation between councils and refugee settlement agency COA expired at the end of September and the net reduction in beds is around 1,250, Van …

Almost 30,000 asylum seekers are waiting to be assessed, nearing 2015 record
2 years, 3 months ago

Almost 30,000 asylum seekers are waiting to be assessed, nearing 2015 record

Dutch News  

Almost 30,000 asylum seekers are waiting to have their cases assessed by the immigration service IND, according to August figures from European statistics agency Eurostat. ‘The longer refugees have to wait for their procedure, the more places are needed in refugee centres,’ spokesman Martijn van der Linden told broadcaster NOS. ‘The fact that the backlog is reaching a new record …

Almost 30,000 asylum seekers are waiting to be assessed, nearing 2015 record
2 years, 3 months ago

Almost 30,000 asylum seekers are waiting to be assessed, nearing 2015 record

Dutch News  

Almost 30,000 asylum seekers are waiting to have their cases assessed by the immigration service IND, according to August figures from European statistics agency Eurostat. ‘The longer refugees have to wait for their procedure, the more places are needed in refugee centres,’ spokesman Martijn van der Linden told broadcaster NOS. ‘The fact that the backlog is reaching a new record …

150 migrants moved from overcrowded Dutch asylum center
2 years, 4 months ago

150 migrants moved from overcrowded Dutch asylum center

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Authorities moved 150 migrants Thursday …

Ministers earmark Overijssel hotel as refugee centre, bypassing council
2 years, 4 months ago

Ministers earmark Overijssel hotel as refugee centre, bypassing council

Dutch News  

The village of Albergen in Overijssel has been chosen by ministers as the location for a new asylum seekers centre, under new rules allowing them to bypass local councils. Refugee settlement agency COA has bought a hotel in the village of 3,500 people which has capacity for up to 300 refugees, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg told MPs …

Ministers earmark Overijssel hotel as refugee centre, bypassing council
2 years, 4 months ago

Ministers earmark Overijssel hotel as refugee centre, bypassing council

Dutch News  

The village of Albergen in Overijssel has been chosen by ministers as the location for a new asylum seekers centre, under new rules allowing them to bypass local councils. Refugee settlement agency COA has bought a hotel in the village of 3,500 people which has capacity for up to 300 refugees, junior justice minister Eric van der Burg told MPs …

Ministers intervene, earmark two locations for refugee housing
2 years, 4 months ago

Ministers intervene, earmark two locations for refugee housing

Dutch News  

Ministers have confirmed that they will start forcing local authorities to accept refugees if they persistently refuse to change zoning plans to allow suitable buildings to be used as temporary housing. The state would rather not go so far, but will use the legal instruments at their disposal to bypass local officials if necessary, housing minister Hugo de Jonge and …

Ministers intervene, earmark two locations for refugee housing
2 years, 4 months ago

Ministers intervene, earmark two locations for refugee housing

Dutch News  

Ministers have confirmed that they will start forcing local authorities to accept refugees if they persistently refuse to change zoning plans to allow suitable buildings to be used as temporary housing. The state would rather not go so far, but will use the legal instruments at their disposal to bypass local officials if necessary, housing minister Hugo de Jonge and …

Refugees' org. to sue Dutch gov't if it doesn't sort out asylum shelter before Aug. 1
2 years, 6 months ago

Refugees' org. to sue Dutch gov't if it doesn't sort out asylum shelter before Aug. 1

NL Times  

Refugees’ organization Vlucteligenwerk Nederland gave the Dutch State an ultimatum. The lack of space at asylum shelters means asylum seekers don’t have any privacy, decent accommodation, or clean sanitary facilities. The fact that the Netherlands treats Ukrainian refugees differently from other asylum seekers is clearly discrimination and, therefore, illegal, Vulchtelingwerk said. If the reception locations don’t meet the minimum requirements …

Four regions picked to kick of refugee emergency bed plan
2 years, 7 months ago

Four regions picked to kick of refugee emergency bed plan

Dutch News  

Amsterdam, Zeeland, Groningen and Friesland have been earmarked to each provide emergency accommodation for 150 refugees for the next two weeks, in an effort to end the overcrowding at the Ter Apel registration centre, where new arrivals have been left to sleep on chairs. Refugee settlement agency COA told news agency ANP that the news is a ‘very welcome contribution …

120 people left to sleep on chairs at Ter Apel refugee centre
2 years, 7 months ago

120 people left to sleep on chairs at Ter Apel refugee centre

Dutch News  

Around 120 people were again forced to sleep on chairs and on the floor in a waiting room at the Ter Apel refugee reception centre in Groningen on Monday night because of a shortage of beds. ‘People are sitting on plastic chairs which have been glued to the ground,’ a spokesman for refugee aid group Vluchtelingenwerk told broadcaster NOS. It …

120 people left to sleep on chairs at Ter Apel refugee centre
2 years, 7 months ago

120 people left to sleep on chairs at Ter Apel refugee centre

Dutch News  

Around 120 people were again forced to sleep on chairs and on the floor in a waiting room at the Ter Apel refugee reception centre in Groningen on Monday night because of a shortage of beds. ‘People are sitting on plastic chairs which have been glued to the ground,’ a spokesman for refugee aid group Vluchtelingenwerk told broadcaster NOS. It …

Nearly 28,000 Ukrainians in government shelters; Space for another 13,700
2 years, 8 months ago

Nearly 28,000 Ukrainians in government shelters; Space for another 13,700

NL Times  

Government shelters are currently housing 27,842 people from Ukraine, the Ministry of Justice and Security reported. The mayors at the head of the regions agreed with the Cabinet last month that they would create 50,000 reception places as soon as possible. These figures also include people who are not being taken care of by the government directly, but who are …

Cabinet preparing to shelter up to 150,000 Ukrainian refugees
2 years, 9 months ago

Cabinet preparing to shelter up to 150,000 Ukrainian refugees

NL Times  

The Dutch government expects 100,000 to 150,000 Ukrainians to seek shelter in the Netherlands. You don't know what Putin is going to do," said Migration policy director Bart-Jan ter Heerdt in parliament, referring to the Russian president responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. Ter Heerdt stressed the uncertainty in answering parliamentary questions about the scenarios the Justice Ministry is preparing …

Dutch Cabinet to shelter 15,000 refugees in government buildings
2 years, 9 months ago

Dutch Cabinet to shelter 15,000 refugees in government buildings

NL Times  

The Cabinet is going to make buildings owned by the central government’s real estate agency available for the reception of refugees. This means that 15,000 places can be created, said Public Housing Minister Hugo de Jonge after the weekly meeting of Cabinet ministers on Friday. The 15,000 places will be made available to municipalities, which arrange the reception of Ukrainians, …

More Ukrainians arrive in the Netherlands as Dutch step up preparations
2 years, 9 months ago

More Ukrainians arrive in the Netherlands as Dutch step up preparations

Dutch News  

The number of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands had reached 6,200 by Sunday, according to justice ministry figures, quoted in the Telegraaf. And regional safety board Hubert Bruls told television show Buitenhof that ‘drastic measures’ may have to be taken if people continue to arrive at the current pace. The 25 regional safety boards have already been asked to identify …

More Ukrainians arrive in the Netherlands as Dutch step up preparations
2 years, 9 months ago

More Ukrainians arrive in the Netherlands as Dutch step up preparations

Dutch News  

The number of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands had reached 6,200 by Sunday, according to justice ministry figures, quoted in the Telegraaf. And regional safety board Hubert Bruls told television show Buitenhof that ‘drastic measures’ may have to be taken if people continue to arrive at the current pace. The 25 regional safety boards have already been asked to identify …

Amsterdam sees explosive increase in domestic violence reports
2 years, 10 months ago

Amsterdam sees explosive increase in domestic violence reports

NL Times  

The number of domestic abuse cases in the Amsterdam region increased so much in the past months that victims can no longer find space in regular shelters. "The situation is sometimes so serious and unsafe, sometimes even life-threatening, that we now permanently rent several hotel rooms," said Jolanda Vader, manager of Blijf Groep, which has been sheltering victims for nearly …

Minister admits there was no legal basis for refugee housing demand
2 years, 11 months ago

Minister admits there was no legal basis for refugee housing demand

Dutch News  

Former junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol has admitted she had no legal powers to force several local authorities to set up emergency accommodation for refugees. Broekers-Knol told five local councils in mid December they had no choice but to take in refugees, but now says there was no legal basis for the decision. The decision, she said in briefing to …

Minister admits there was no legal basis for refugee housing demand
2 years, 11 months ago

Minister admits there was no legal basis for refugee housing demand

Dutch News  

Former junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol has admitted she had no legal powers to force several local authorities to set up emergency accommodation for refugees. Broekers-Knol told five local councils in mid December they had no choice but to take in refugees, but now says there was no legal basis for the decision. The decision, she said in briefing to …

Minister chooses five locations for emergency refugee centres
3 years ago

Minister chooses five locations for emergency refugee centres

Dutch News  

Five emergency asylum accommodation centres have been set up to house people currently living in tents and dormitories as the system struggles to cope with demand. Junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol said the locations in Venray, Alkmaar, Rotterdam, Gorinchem and Enschede were chosen because they are available and spread the burden around the country. The nationwide housing shortage has also …

Refugee charity sounds the alarm over poor conditions in emergency centres
3 years, 1 month ago

Refugee charity sounds the alarm over poor conditions in emergency centres

Dutch News  

Living standards in emergency refugee centres are unacceptably low and children in particular are suffering, refugee aid group Vluchtelingenwerk said on Wednesday. In many of the emergency centres there is a lack of privacy, security and heating, while children are being denied access to education, according to Vluchtelingenwerk. Aid group workers and volunteers assessed conditions in 21 of the 35 …

Refugee charity sounds the alarm over poor conditions in emergency centres
3 years, 1 month ago

Refugee charity sounds the alarm over poor conditions in emergency centres

Dutch News  

Living standards in emergency refugee centres are unacceptably low and children in particular are suffering, refugee aid group Vluchtelingenwerk said on Wednesday. In many of the emergency centres there is a lack of privacy, security and heating, while children are being denied access to education, according to Vluchtelingenwerk. Aid group workers and volunteers assessed conditions in 21 of the 35 …

Refugee advocates: Emergency asylum shelters fail to meet standards
3 years, 1 month ago

Refugee advocates: Emergency asylum shelters fail to meet standards

NL Times  

The way in which refugees and asylum seekers are housed by the Netherlands in emergency reception locations is seriously lacking, according to VluchtelingenWerk, known in English as the Dutch Council for Refugees. The conclusions are the result of a study into the living conditions of 5,000 asylum seekers at 21 emergency reception locations, the Council says. Unlike the Dutch Council …

Afghan refugees in emergency shelters are increasingly desperate
3 years, 1 month ago

Afghan refugees in emergency shelters are increasingly desperate

Dutch News  

Afghan evacuees who have been staying in emergency accommodation following their arrival in the Netherlands in August and September, are becoming increasingly desperate about the lack of perspective, broadcaster NOS reports. Earlier, the national ombudsman and the Dutch human rights committee wrote to junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol to say the tents are ‘completely unsuitable’ for winter. Waisuddin Akhondzada, one …

Afghan refugees in emergency shelters are increasingly desperate
3 years, 1 month ago

Afghan refugees in emergency shelters are increasingly desperate

Dutch News  

Afghan evacuees who have been staying in emergency accommodation following their arrival in the Netherlands in August and September, are becoming increasingly desperate about the lack of perspective, broadcaster NOS reports. Earlier, the national ombudsman and the Dutch human rights committee wrote to junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol to say the tents are ‘completely unsuitable’ for winter. Waisuddin Akhondzada, one …

Tents not suitable for refugees in winter, ombudsman tells minister
3 years, 1 month ago

Tents not suitable for refugees in winter, ombudsman tells minister

Dutch News  

The emergency refugee centre in Heumensoord in Gelderland is unsuitable for use in the winter months and proper accommodation must be found for the occupants as a matter of urgency, the national ombudsman and the Dutch human rights committee say. The two organisations have written to junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol urging her to come up with a permanent solution …

Refugee number rise sharply in Q3 as more Syrians and Afghans apply for asylum
3 years, 2 months ago

Refugee number rise sharply in Q3 as more Syrians and Afghans apply for asylum

Dutch News  

A total of 8,845 people made a first application for asylum in the Netherlands in the third quarter of this year, 2.5 times the second quarter total and the highest number since the end of 2015. The rise in the number of new refugees is causing major problems at the country’s refugee centres, where a shortage of beds has led …

Coronavirus outbreak at emergency refugee centre, as more provinces find beds
3 years, 2 months ago

Coronavirus outbreak at emergency refugee centre, as more provinces find beds

Dutch News  

At least 49 out of 320 residents at an emergency refugee centre in a sports hall in Goes have been diagnosed with coronavirus. The local health board decided to run tests on everyone at the centre this weekend after a number of asylum seekers developed coronavirus symptoms. Ministers urged the provinces to meet their obligations after the Ter Apel refugee …

Ter Apel refugee centre is at crisis point, says local safety board chief
3 years, 2 months ago

Ter Apel refugee centre is at crisis point, says local safety board chief

Dutch News  

The situation at the Ter Apel refugee registration centre is so serious that the Groningen regional safety board has told the government it can no longer cope, current affairs show Nieuwsuur reported on Wednesday evening. The safety board has invoked an Article 51 procedure which is usually confined to crises and disasters and ‘that is where we are at the …

Safety boards agree to act on housing for refugees as crisis deepens
3 years, 2 months ago

Safety boards agree to act on housing for refugees as crisis deepens

Dutch News  

The Netherlands 25 regional safety boards have agreed to find an extra 800 beds to cope with the rising number of asylum seekers needing accommodation, Nijmegen mayor and board chairman Hubert Bruls has said. On Monday, justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus made an urgent appeal for help in finding places for people to live – particularly young refugees who are in …

Safety boards agree to act on housing for refugees as crisis deepens
3 years, 2 months ago

Safety boards agree to act on housing for refugees as crisis deepens

Dutch News  

The Netherlands 25 regional safety boards have agreed to find an extra 800 beds to cope with the rising number of asylum seekers needing accommodation, Nijmegen mayor and board chairman Hubert Bruls has said. On Monday, justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus made an urgent appeal for help in finding places for people to live – particularly young refugees who are in …

Almere gets tent camp to house 450 refugees as housing crisis worsens
3 years, 2 months ago

Almere gets tent camp to house 450 refugees as housing crisis worsens

Dutch News  

Soldiers were drafted in to put up marquees as emergency accommodation for 450 refugees in Almere this weekend. All refugee centres in the Netherlands are currently full, including emergency centres and people have been sleeping on chairs and camp beds in Ter Apel, where all new arrivals report to be registered. The shortage of accommodation is due both an increase …

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