Crisis shelter Petten can almost open, concerned Pettemers are coming to take a look

The temporary shelter, which for the time being will be made habitable for a stay until January 1, 2023, offers accommodation for a total of 225 asylum seekers. 48 rooms have been made for this purpose in a large tent on the site, with space for six people per room. Each room has three bunk beds, six bedside lamps, closet space and a table with six chairs.

Although the rooms themselves have no windows, the tent is spacious and has large windows. There is also a large tent on site with all sanitary facilities, a general dining area and a building for recreational activities. It is chilly and unsociable and the mayor Marjan van Kampen of the municipality of Schagen notices that too. “There is bed, bath and bread I say, it is not a luxury these people end up in.”

Winter conditions

But despite that, the guests – as Marjan van Kampen likes to call them – need not be afraid of appalling conditions this winter. “Each room has its own heater, so they can determine for themselves how many degrees it is there,” explains Richard Dorenbos of the Noord-Holland Noord Safety Region.

In addition, the temporary residents do not have to be afraid of a leaking bedroom, as the shelter in Purmerend had in spite of it. “This tent is habitable up to and including wind force 11”, Dorenbos says.

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Residents of Petten were not immediately eager for the arrival of the shelter. The open evening that the municipality of Schagen recently organized was not well received by a large part of the residents.

They did not receive information on important topics such as safety, decision-making and communication. Mayor Van Kampen also regrets this lack of information. “That was not well arranged from the municipality, so for me a lesson to learnshe agrees.

With the tour that the municipality is organizing tonight, the mayor hopes to show the residents of Petten the importance of this emergency shelter. “I hope for some empathy and understanding,” says Marjan van Kampen.

Residents of Petten divided

During the first half hour of the tour, interested parties come and go. There is a lot of interest in the shelter. In addition, the reactions are very divided. “We have the space and those people need us. You don’t want anyone to sleep outside,” says a resident of Petten. Another Pettemer is also very sorry about choosing a temporary reception location in Petten: “I think it is a very good thing that we are doing our bit.”

But not everyone walks back to the car or bicycle with peace of mind. A couple from Petten is clearly devastated. “I think it’s terrible and degrading here,” this person says. “You wouldn’t wish it on anyone living here in such a small room with no windows.”

Volunteers

The North Holland North Safety Region is aware that the reception does not have much more than the most important basic facilities. But, according to Dorenbos, there will soon be enough space for the residents’ entertainment in the still bare recreation room. But the setting up of activities is probably not done by the employees on the ground. Volunteers are needed for this Township hopes that people will sign up for this. “Language lessons, sports or games: every creative hobby is welcome.”