The National Ombudsman and the Children’s Ombudsman will investigate the situation of asylum seekers in crisis emergency shelters of municipalities. The ombudsmen say they have regularly drawn attention to the “distressing situation of families in emergency shelters”. However, no improvements can be seen yet.
The regular asylum seekers centers and the emergency reception of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) are full. That is why asylum seekers end up in the emergency shelter of municipalities. However, they are unsuitable for living in for more than a week. The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) sounded the alarm on Thursday. Many asylum seekers have been living in crisis shelters for months now. However, the locations are in short supply and this creates health risks.
The ombudsmen also hear many complaints about the crisis emergency shelter. “Despite the efforts and involvement of many parties, there seems to be no improvement in this situation. The problems persist and are even getting worse.”
The National Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children are now investigating why it is not possible to improve crisis emergency care.
By: ANP | Photo: Digitaal Dagblad / Raymond Aarsman
