Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- Due to the low number of available reception places in our country for refugees from Ukraine, the situation in the Ariane centre in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert is becoming increasingly dire. 30 percent of the current residents have been staying for more than eight weeks in the centre that was actually created as a transit centre. Meanwhile, many refugees are struggling with money problems.
Reception for one, two or a maximum of three nights: that was the original maxim for refugees who, from the opening in March, after their registration at the Heysel, flocked to the Ariane centre for transit shelter. For about 20 war refugees, it is now more than 90 nights, according to new figures from the Red Cross Flanders.
In total, the centre currently has 698 residents. In addition to adult women (42 percent) and men (30 percent), this includes teenagers (13 percent) and young children (15 percent).
Train fines
“The number of reception places in cities and municipalities is simply drying up,” said a senior Red Cross employee. “In the meantime, we will continue to provide shelter and psychosocial support.”
But for many refugees, the persistent lack of perspective is gradually becoming difficult to sustain. Although Fedasil is responsible for matching refugees to available places, Ukrainians in Ariane have been asked since mid-July to also look for shelter themselves.
“But that is a very difficult task for many people,” said the Red Cross. “They are facing financial difficulties and we have even received stories from people who did not have the means to buy a train ticket during their search for shelter and received fines as a result.” The language problem is also often an obstacle.
Financial support
Precisely because the reception network is cracking at the seams and reception in cities and municipalities is difficult, the refugees residing in the Ariane center are not yet registered and can therefore not rely on the financial support and social benefits that they receive through their should receive a temporary protection certificate.
“We are looking together with Fedasil at how we can provide financial support to the residents, for example by performing common tasks.”
At the same time, some Ukrainian families speak of alleged discrimination in the allocation of shelter places. Certain families can be helped quickly, others have to wait weeks for reception.
“In any case, it is starting to become very difficult psychologically for people who have been staying here for two months or longer, but actually for everyone,” emphasises Joachim Deman, spokesperson for Red Cross Flanders.
Distribution key
It has been known for some time that one of the reasons for the insufficient flow of refugees from the Ariane centre to more permanent shelters is to be found in the famous ‘distribution key’ for Ukrainian refugees. This stipulated that Brussels must receive 10 percent of the refugees, compared to 60 percent in Flanders and 30 percent in Wallonia.
Meanwhile, Brussels has already received about 17 percent of Ukrainians, Verbeeren told BRUZZ last week . That is why the residents of the Ariane centre first have to look for shelter in the other federal states. Verbeeren has repeatedly called on Flanders and Wallonia to make more efforts.
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