Brand camping farm not an obstacle for warm welcome asylum seekers

The arson, last week in a camping farm in Someren, has no consequences for the number of asylum seekers that will be housed there from Tuesday. The project leader of the Southeast Brabant Security Region acknowledges that there are concerns, but also that the temporary residents will be well taken care of. “They receive a warm welcome.”

Profile photo of Noël van Hooft

The welcome that the arsonists had devised did not faze the municipality of Someren and the Security Region. In fact, the 225 people who reported on Tuesday are even improving.

“Sufficient space for privacy and other options.”

“When they arrived in our region in July, they were housed as one large group in a sports hall. Here in Someren, there are enough rooms to offer people privacy and other options,” reports Paul van Dooren, project leader of crisis emergency shelter within the Security Region.

The only ‘problem’ was that one part of the camping farm cannot be used due to the fire. “As a result, the distribution of the living spaces had to be adjusted. But where it used to be narrow, the residents now have it wide. This complex is big enough for it,” says Van Dooren.

“We are almost ready.”

He tells his story, while rooms are being furnished around him, beds are made and items for the catering are laid out. “We are almost ready for it,” says the project leader. He realizes that people end up at a location that not everyone in Someren is waiting for. There were already protests when the plans were announced. The arson attack last week was a (provisional) low point.

An insight into one of the rooms (photo: Noël van Hooft).
An insight into one of the rooms (photo: Noël van Hooft).

The linen is ready (photo: Noël van Hooft).
The linen is ready (photo: Noël van Hooft).

“We’re not worried.”

Van Dooren: “We are in constant dialogue with our guests and of course they know what is happening in the world and therefore also in the Netherlands. But they are also used to it. So we are not worried, especially since they have more options with us for a pleasant and stable stay.”

According to the project leader, it will be ensured that families, relatives and friends will come together in a room. He is convinced that the asylum seekers will not be afraid. According to him, everyone who is part of the group wants and dares to report to Someren. The first group consists of 225 people.

He does not want to comment on exactly what measures have been taken to ensure the safety of residents and staff. One thing is clear to everyone: cameras are clearly visible both against the camping farm and in the immediate vicinity.

One of the cameras at the camping farm (photo: Noël van Hooft).
One of the cameras at the camping farm (photo: Noël van Hooft).

The move to Someren puts an end to the dragging of more than two hundred refugees through Southeast Brabant for the time being. A first group arrived in Waalre in mid-July, after which the asylum seekers were given shelter for a short period, partly in Best, Heeze, Deurne, Beek en Donk and Mierlo.

Most temporary residents of the camping farm are still staying in Helmond and Hapert. Ultimately, 450 people will live at the Someren location, a number of whom will be transferred from Ter Apel. While the group spends the last weeks of this year and the first weeks of next year at De Hoof, a new shelter is being sought. The umpteenth.

READ ALSO: Camping farm where asylum seekers come is extra secured after a fire

ttn-32