While one village strongly protests against the arrival of an asylum seekers’ center, in another village they fight to keep the asylum seekers. Such as in Dongen, where concerned residents have started a petition to ensure that an emergency shelter for asylum seekers remains open. They want the municipal council to reconsider the proposed closure of the reception location.
Since the start of the petition on Monday morning, more than 900 residents of Dongen have signed it. “We want to do everything we can to keep the residents here in Dongen,” says one of the initiators Bea van Beers. She is very surprised by all the expressions of support for the residents in the shelter.
Since February 1, about 150 asylum seekers have been staying in the emergency shelter at the Nestel on the Tichelrijt industrial estate. The housing was initially expected to last six months, but was extended by six months with the approval of the municipal council.
“Many residents do not feel heard by this decision.”
However, during the council meeting of December 12, a majority voted against a motion to keep the shelter open longer after February 1, 2025. “Many residents do not feel heard by this decision,” say Bea van Beers and Matthieu Verlinde. They are the initiators of the signature campaign.
According to Bea, who, like a number of residents of the emergency shelter, attended the council meeting last week, the decision to close the shelter had already been made in advance. “There was absolutely no substantive debate. That caused a lot of disappointment among the residents, but also among many Dongen residents involved in the emergency shelter,” says Bea.
“The residents of the emergency shelter have found their place in Dongen in recent months,” can be read in the call to support the petition. “They work, their children go to school here and they are active in club life. The shelter at the Nestel has not caused any inconvenience and has grown into a safe haven for people in an uncertain situation. Friendships have been formed here and support networks have been built up that play a crucial role in their lives.”
“The signatures are a great support for the residents.”
Due to the closure of the emergency shelter, the residents are in danger of being spread across other shelter locations in the Netherlands. “That means starting over: making new contacts, looking for daytime activities, finding work and letting children get used to a new school environment. The decision to close the shelter has far-reaching consequences for these people and the Dongen community that has warmly embraced them,” said Bea and Matthieu.
With the expressions of support, Bea hopes that Dongen politicians will reconsider the closure of the emergency shelter. According to her, it would be good for council members to talk to their supporters and the community to get a complete picture. “In any case, the signatures are a great support for the residents,” she concludes hopefully.
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