The municipality of Alkmaar is prepared to receive dozens of war refugees from Ukraine. According to alderman Pieter Dijkman, the municipality can offer thirty refugees a roof over their heads within a few days. In the long term, this concerns ‘a few dozen’ refugees and small-scale locations are still being sought. “We want to use the human dimension, so not with six hundred people together,” says Dijkman.
Due to the war in Ukraine, large numbers of civilians are trying to flee the country. According to the United Nations, more than 600,000 inhabitants Ukraine have fled. According to alderman Dijkman, the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) is in charge of the reception of refugees. “We have not yet received a concrete request, but when the question comes, we have to be ready.”
According to the municipality of Alkmaar, this reception must be done on a small scale. The former tax office on Robonsbosweg, which was previously used for the reception of asylum seekers, will therefore be discontinued. Alkmaar also wants to distribute the refugees across the entire municipality. “It is very much alive among our inhabitants and there are also many initiatives in the villages to help the people in Ukraine. We must therefore involve them in this,” says Dijkman. “I think that’s very much appreciated.”
Sentiment
Mayor Anja Schouten acknowledges that the sentiment about the reception of Ukrainian refugees is different than when it comes to housing status holders or asylum seekers. “There is often talk about receiving refugees in the region, but now Europe is the region. We must quickly offer these people a safe roof over their heads. These are also people who really have the intention to return soon after the war. is over.”
It is not yet known how many and when Ukrainian refugees will come to Alkmaar. There are already locations in mind for the reception, but alderman Dijkman is not yet ready to say which ones. “In any case, preparations are in full swing.”