News item | 17-03-2022 | 16:40
In response to the horrific events in Ukraine, the cabinet is preparing for large numbers of people who, fleeing brutal violence, have had to leave their homes and their homes and are now looking for a safe haven. In order to offer people the safety, peace and care they need, a joint approach is needed from the central government, the region, municipalities, and many other partners, with room for the help that private individuals offer. To this end, the Ministerial Crisis Management Committee (MCCb) took decisions on Wednesday.
Much of what the government and society must do now is virgin territory, partly in view of the scale of the problem and the speed that is required. That also entails risks. An utmost effort is required from all involved in all aspects to find the right balance between speed and care.
National Programme
The Security Regions are currently making great efforts to receive the first 50,000 refugees from Ukraine. In addition, even larger-scale reception and the long-term reception of refugees from Ukraine are taken into account. This also includes the right to work, education and social services. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, the MCCb decided on Wednesday to set up a National Programme. The National Program prepares long-term care that provides structural care, education, work and social facilities. This program is specially designed within the organization of the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Guide for social and private initiatives
The cabinet welcomes the many initiatives by citizens, social and commercial organizations to help Ukrainians and supports them where possible. The Red Cross, Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland and the Salvation Army are joining forces to coordinate these initiatives. Together with other partners, they will launch a platform on Friday 18 March (www.refugeehelp.nl) where private initiatives can be offered (goods, services, volunteers). When it comes to private reception, this consortium, together with TakeCareBNB, is recruiting and screening host families. The government is currently working with all partners involved on a guideline for private individuals who receive Ukrainian refugees, so that all citizens who offer reception places are also well informed. This guide for private individuals is expected to be published at the end of next week. Furthermore, the aforementioned consortium has so-called Humanitarian Service Points set up at various stations in the Netherlands to receive, inform and refer refugees from Ukraine to a reception location. The Red Cross today launched a (multilingual) WhatsApp helpline for refugees and a Dutch-language information number for people who have questions about, for example, private shelter.
Housing
It is currently difficult to find a home. It is not the intention that the reception of refugees from Ukraine makes the situation even more difficult. The cabinet calls on the parties involved to organize the reception in such a way that other home seekers are not pushed out. The government does take into account the possibility that many refugees will stay in the Netherlands for a long time or even want to settle permanently in our country. Minister De Jonge is working on this together with State Secretary Van der Burg out an approach.
Education
Many of the refugees are children. Given the available reception capacity for 50,000 refugees in the short term, the government is taking into account an estimated 15,000 to 25,000 children of compulsory school age in this phase. In the National Programme, preparations are made for possible higher numbers and a longer stay. The Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, in collaboration with various parties involved, is making preparations to enable newcomer schools to scale up the number of available teaching places. In regions where sufficient upscaling does not seem feasible, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is focusing on extra, temporary educational facilities. Here refugee children learn the Dutch language, receive vocational training and are closely monitored to see how they are doing. OCW is exploring the deployment of teachers from the Ukrainian community itself.
labor
In time, some of the refugees from Ukraine will also want to work here. They have access to the labor market under the Temporary Protection Directive, but the employer currently still needs a work permit. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment wants to arrange that applying for this permit is no longer mandatory for refugees from Ukraine. An exemption is therefore being worked on. There is, however, a reporting obligation. The aim is to have the exemption come into effect on 1 April 2022.
Registration
Ukrainians who wish to receive shelter in the Netherlands are accommodated. The Node Coordination Information Ukraine has an overview of where central reception places of the Security Regions are available. All Ukrainians who have fled to the Netherlands are asked to register with the municipality. This also applies to refugees who are now staying with family or friends. Those who register are registered and registered on the basis of documents. In case of doubt, a provenance and identification process follows. Refugees are vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation. That is why it is important that they register with the municipality where they are received. In this way they remain in the picture and they can qualify for the support that is available for refugees. Children traveling alone require extra attention. They are sometimes placed directly with host families or taken in by people who do not have parental authority. These children deserve special attention because of possible trauma. By registering with the municipality, the right care for the child and the best support for the host family can be provided.