The ships are being used to reduce the severe shortage of shelter places. Initially, the Westelijk Havengebied will accommodate a thousand people, but it may eventually become 1500. This is determined during two predetermined evaluation moments, according to the municipality.
“The situation in Ter Apel is heartbreaking,” said Alderman Rutger Groot Wassink (Social Affairs and Refugees). “We now have to solve the shortage of reception locations together so that refugees find a place.” He emphasizes that the reception on the cruise ship is a short-term solution. “It is important that the central government, together with municipalities, reforms the stalled asylum chain, so that these kinds of emergency solutions are no longer necessary in the future and people can be accommodated in a fixed place.”
State Secretary Eric van der Burg (Justice and Security) thanks the Amsterdam city council for its help. “Temporary large-scale reception is very important to restore peace in the asylum reception. With the arrival of the cruise ship in Amsterdam, we are taking another step together in solving the crisis in the asylum chain.”
Up to 12 million euros
Part of the agreements on the reception of asylum seekers is that the capital will receive a maximum of 12 million euros from the government to build flexible housing at an accelerated pace. This amount is intended for a thousand homes, but a total of 2500 to 3000 homes must be available as soon as possible to improve the situation on the overstrained Amsterdam housing market.
The costs for the reception of asylum seekers on the cruise ship are borne by the government and the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) is responsible for management and operation. The refugees can do volunteer work, there are programs aimed at participation and there is education, care and daytime activities.
Amsterdam is currently receiving 2100 refugees and status holders, apart from the refugee Ukrainians who have shelter in the capital.