Many questions from local residents Jabbeke about future asylum center: “Not in my backyard”
Mayor Frank Casteleyn admits his protest was premature. A visit by the State Secretary himself to Jabbeke brought more clarity. If the site of the Civil Protection meets the requirements, there will be a humanitarian reception center for asylum seekers. Maximum 500 people: families with children, no single men. And the municipality itself should not do anything.
“Registration is done in Brussels, and catering is done by Fedasil. Education is also provided on the site itself. We don’t have to do anything for it and Fedasil is monitored 24 hours a day,” says Mayor Casteleyn.
“Facilities are not for that”
Nevertheless, the local residents still have many questions, because the site and the buildings look dilapidated.
“I’m not a racist, but not in my backyard,” says one resident. “And certainly not in this situation, the facilities are not for it.”
If the site is approved, there will be an open house for the neighborhood. The reception center itself would be there for a maximum of six months. After that, Jabbeke can purchase the site himself.