More than 2000 asylum seekers slept last night in the registration center in Ter Apel in Groningen. That is why the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) must pay a penalty of 50,000 euros for the first time. Previous penalty payments were lower.
According to the COA, 2034 people spent people in the registration center. This is more than the reception body had agreed with the municipality of Westerwolde, which contains Ter Apel. The penalty is therefore paid to the municipality, every day that more than 2000 people stay.
For the first time since 1 November last year, more people sleep in Ter Apel than allowed. The COA speaks of “an undesirable situation for residents, employees and local residents, because it stands in the way of human and safe care and guidance”.
According to the body, the fact that the number of asylum seekers has risen above 2000 is due to the closure of a few temporary locations. As a result, “insufficient room is to place the people who register in Ter Apel at a different reception location”.
In October the event site in Biddinghuizen will probably be prepared again, just like the past three winters, to compensate for around 1250 asylum seekers. The College of the municipality of Dronten still has to give, but is positive about the experiences of recent years, a spokesperson said.
The construction was started at the beginning of October in the beginning of October, and the location was put into use in mid -November. In March the shelter closed towards the start of the festival season.