Dozens of Ukrainians have been accommodated in apartments in Eindhoven. Things have been collected in the area so that people can stay there. There will be space for 250 Ukrainians throughout Eindhoven in the short term.
The Trudo housing corporation complex was actually going to be renovated to accommodate students afterwards, explains Yasin Torunoglu, Eindhoven’s alderman for housing. “Emergency breaks the law, because there are now people who need help quickly.”
The alderman is impressed with the speed with which this temporary shelter has been arranged. “This went super fast. I just spoke to one of Trudo’s employees. All they did was put notes through the letterboxes.” Local residents who received the note with the call to bring things responded.
Downstairs in the complex this Saturday afternoon local residents bring things and Ukrainians also arrive at their temporary shelter. The first forty refugees will have a roof over their heads to relax there.
The municipality of Eindhoven has created a special telephone number. Eindhoven residents call there who, for example, have a place left in their home for refugees. Others call because they are looking for a place for Ukrainians who have come to the Netherlands. There are also Ukrainians who call because they want to work and need a citizen service number.
The alderman was touched by the people of Eindhoven who stand up and want to work for the Ukrainians in need. “In the past nine years I have not experienced as much love as in the past few days. People stand up because they feel powerless and because they care about the fate of the Ukrainians.”
According to Torunoglu, this is because we can put ourselves in their shoes. “Ten days ago, these people were celebrating birthdays and weddings. They were making plans for the future. Now it’s war.”