The Protestant Church of the Netherlands (PKN) will focus more emphatically on the reception of status holders and asylum seekers. The situation at the application center in Ter Apel is so dire that churches want to take up the challenge to provide temporary relief in the asylum crisis, says Jan Hommes of the protestant municipalities in Drenthe and Groningen.
When the Russian army invaded Ukraine in February, hundreds of shelters became available within a short time. Empty churches and other buildings were used, private individuals shared their homes and holiday homes opened their doors in the relatively quiet spring months.
In the current asylum problem there is a shortage of reception places. Asylum seekers are forced to sleep on camping beds in sports and event halls, and in the open air at the application center in Ter Apel. This situation is untenable, says the national board of PKN, which is now in talks with the government to lend a helping hand immediately.
“We want to take up our role more actively. I know that ecclesiastical congregations still have buildings. These do not have to be empty churches, but a rectory (official residence of a pastor or pastor, ed.) is also possible. But we now have to make spaces available, left or right. The need is very high,” said Hommes.
The initiative is primarily intended for status holders. These are people with a residence permit, but the flow of this group to a home is stalled. “We can keep insisting that something has to be done about the influx. But for now it is important that movement is created at the back, the flow gets started and no people have to sleep outside.”
The basis for the plan lies with the PKN and the municipality of Kampen, who joined forces to tackle the asylum problem. This one Camper Approach to Displaced Persons proved its success in housing Ukrainians, and is now being rolled out nationwide to the entire church community.
“We don’t know how long we will be called upon, this could take months. We are aware of that. But if you don’t tackle this with both hands, then what?” says Hommes. He finds it difficult to estimate how many extra reception places can be added in Drenthe. But sitting on our hands is not an option now, says the pastor.