West Friesland, the Noordkop and the Alkmaar region must receive another 400 additional asylum seekers before the end of the year. The cause is the larger expected influx of refugees. A letter to the municipalities is called upon to help think about a solution.
As of 1 January 2024, there must be a total of 11,072 reception places throughout the province of North Holland. For the 16 municipalities within the North Holland North Safety Region, the figure amounts to 2,548. Most of them are already there, but space still needs to be found for 432 refugees.
Marjan van Kampen, chairman of the refugee problem at the North Holland North security region, but also mayor of Schagen, writes about this in the letter: “I therefore urge you to look at possibilities to realize additional reception places. This shows that we take responsibility for providing a safe haven to those who need it most.”
6,000 refugees received
At present, just over 4,000 Ukrainians and 2,000 other refugees reside in the region. This means that by no means all municipalities are eager to do even more. “We are talking to each other. But whether it actually succeeds depends on the municipalities. But I have confidence in our region, and I am confident that it will work,” says Van Kampen.
700 refugees are staying in emergency shelters. For example in Avenhorn. A large tent that previously stood in Enkhuizen, and also in Bergen. A traveling circus that the region would like to get rid of. “It is only possible to bridge the gap, but we are looking for a sustainable solution.”
Asylum center
And by that, Van Kampen is referring to an asylum seekers’ centre. Something that can only be achieved with larger numbers. Both financially and in terms of personnel. “Not like in Ter Apel. But we do that here, for example, in Dijk en Waard and also Den Helder.”
The distribution law of State Secretary Eric van der Burg of Justice and Security would be a good help. This means that the refugees are obliged to be distributed among municipalities. As far as Van Kampen is concerned, the law must be introduced as soon as possible.
Spread law
“Then the task per municipality is fixed. Now it is the case that our municipalities in Noord-Holland Noord help to solve the problem of the State Secretary. But there are also municipalities that are not involved in that. And with this law I think that things are moving forward.”
But if the law already passes the House of Representatives and the Senate, the law will not take effect until 2024 at the earliest.