Bart Somers (Open Vld) wants to give children from Ukraine the opportunity to go on holiday in Flanders during the summer months. In doing so, the Flemish Minister for Living Together is responding to a call from the Ukrainian Association of Cities and Municipalities. “It’s about giving young people between the ages of 6 and 17 a carefree holiday”, said Somers during an exchange of views in the Flemish Parliament.
A list has already been drawn up of more than 1,000 children who want to come to Europe for a few weeks. There is one adult Ukrainian supervisor for every ten young people. Interested local authorities should provide group shelter for four to five weeks. The intention is that in this way the children can escape the violence of war for a few weeks.
Somers does listen to that call. “It reminds me of the children from Belfast in the past or the shelter for children from Chernobyl after the nuclear disaster,” says Somers. He would therefore like to submit the Ukrainian appeal – which is addressed to the whole of Europe – to the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities.
“Not required”
The Open VLD minister realizes that a lot is already being asked of the cities and municipalities. “Local authorities should not feel obliged to do so, but who knows, there may also be a number of municipalities in Flanders that are in favor of this”, says Somers. There will be no subsidization from Flanders, but Somers does want to “support logistics as best as possible” for the cities and municipalities involved.
Somers points out the difference with the sustainable reception of Ukrainian war refugees. “This call is about organizing a short-term summer camp of several weeks. Compare it with a Chiro camp, although Ukrainian and psychological counselors will be present,” it sounds.
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