In the Expo Hall in Assen, children are still in the emergency shelter for asylum seekers for too long. At the end of January, 71 minors stayed in the Expo hall, of which fifty longer than the agreed twenty days. This is apparent from a letter from the municipality of Assen.
Five is in the emergency shelter for ten weeks, a child is staying in the hall for eight weeks, seventeen children seven weeks and 24 children are in emergency shelter for six weeks.
In July last year, a GGD doctor wrote a fire letter in which a staggering picture was sketched of the circumstances in which the children stayed. There were children who were malnourished and children would often wake up at night due to noise and howling in the hall. They also did not dare to go to the toilet because it was dirty. The doctor was seriously concerned about the psychological health of the children.
The municipality of Assen and the COA made a number of agreements as a result of the letter in November to improve the living conditions in the hall. This is now being worked on.
Three classrooms have been placed on the north side of the hall. They serve as a shielded space for children, women and an open learning center for various activities. Work is still being done on the design.
At the beginning of January, work started on the south side of the hall in some of the rooms of the residents. The intention is to place compartments, for more privacy and less noise and light nuisance.
A playground for children is set up outside the hall. It must be ready in mid -March. The COA also switched to another caterer after complaints about eating. According to the COA, the asylum seekers are satisfied with the supply and quality of meals