Reception location Ukrainians in Coevorden opens doors for local residents

taketonews

The first ten temporary homes in the Coevorder district of Ossehaar are ready. Before Ukrainian refugees take up residence in July, dozens of local residents are coming today to take a look. The reactions are variable.

“It looks a bit gloomy,” says Alie Willems from Coevorden. “But it is also neatly cared for and of course it’s good that it is there.” The living units, as they are called, consist of a bedroom with four beds, a bathroom with shower, a kitchenette with dining table and some items such as pans and towels.

About thirty refugees can live in the ten houses that are now standing. In the coming weeks, an additional facility building and thirty units will be built. From August, one hundred and twenty people from Ukraine could then be accommodated.

“There is a waiting list for these homes,” says project leader André Kolk. “For example, there are host families who would offer shelter for three months, but have been doing so for longer.” The Security Region also coordinates which people will be housed here.

Renze Bergsma, the mayor of Coevorden, was also present at the open day. Bergsma: “I hear positive reactions, but also people who are concerned about how things will go in the future.”

The reception location is intended for one year, but an environmental permit has been applied for for five years. Some of the local residents are upset about this. They have set up an action group called Ossehaar Fase C. The group is concerned because the site was originally intended for housing, which may then be shelved. They also fear that the location will eventually become an asylum seekers’ center.

“That is not the intention of this plan,” says Bergsma. “I cannot rule out one hundred percent that it does not happen. Ultimately we have a refugee crisis in this country. The moment the cabinet thinks something about it, I may be overruled. But I consider the chance nil and I am there not in favor of it.”

Besides the local residents who are concerned, there are also many who welcome the refugees with open arms. Willems: “Those people are in need. I hope that if we experience something like this that we will also be taken care of.”

Hans Kardol lives in Ossehaar and had in mind a plot on the site of the reception centre. He was informed by the municipality that this would not take place for the time being. “I can live with that. We live in a rich country and we have enough to share. Instead of an action group I would rather set up a welcome committee. A warm welcome is much better.”

View here in our report what the refugee shelter in Coevorden looks like:

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