Collaboration between Maasdriel, West Maas en Waal, and Zaltbommel

Why are we helping to provide shelter for refugees?

There are two reasons for this:

1. Social responsibility: Asylum seeker centers in the Netherlands have been overcrowded for some time, and there is a severe shortage of accommodation. The humanitarian need is great. Like many other municipalities in the Netherlands, we offer a home to people fleeing war and violence. By providing accommodation, we are fulfilling our social responsibility. 
2. Legal obligation: All municipalities must contribute to the reception of refugees. This is stipulated in the Distribution Act. The municipalities of Maasdriel, West Maas en Waal, and Zaltbommel agreed to tackle this task jointly. Together, they looked at what we are already doing and what possibilities there are to do even more.

Why are these three municipalities working together to provide shelter for refugees? 

The municipalities of Zaltbommel, Maasdriel, and West Maas en Waal signed a letter of intent in early 2024 to collaborate on the tasks required by the Distribution Act. Together, they can effectively tackle the joint task. They complement each other well and also need each other to fulfill the tasks.
In a letter to the acting King's Commissioner of Gelderland, the three municipalities explained how they intend to work together. All provinces must submit their plans to the Ministry of Asylum and Migration by November 1. 

What is the task for these three municipalities and what has already been done?

In total, the combined target for the three municipalities is:

• Accommodation for 416 refugees and 38 unaccompanied minor refugees 
• Accommodation for 554 Ukrainian displaced persons. We are currently well above the target for Ukrainians. If we accommodate 40 unaccompanied minor refugees (AMVs), we will also meet that target.
• We are not yet meeting the target for regular refugees. If we implement what is stated in our proposal to the King's Commissioner, the three of us will be housing fewer regular refugees than the combined target. On the other hand, together we are housing far more Ukrainian displaced persons than the target. Reception locations are not readily available, and we are doing what we can within the possibilities that exist. 

Where will the reception centers be located and when?

That is not yet known. We will search for suitable locations in consultation with the COA. Local residents and stakeholders will be informed immediately after a decision has been made about a location.

What are AMVs?

Unaccompanied minor foreigners (AMVs) are young people who come to the Netherlands without parents or guardians. They are between 15 and 18 years old. The COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers) takes these young people into small-scale reception centers. Here, they are assigned a youth protector from the Nidos foundation. If they are younger than 15, they are generally placed with a foster family under the responsibility of the Nidos foundation. If they are older than 15, they are placed in the COA's small-scale reception facilities. The young people receive intensive support and there is 24/7 supervision at the locations. Like Dutch children, the young people are subject to compulsory education and therefore also attend school.

What is the difference between an asylum seeker, a refugee, and a status holder?

An asylum seeker is someone who has applied for protection in the Netherlands.

A refugee is someone whom the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) has determined during the asylum procedure to be at risk in their country of origin. This person is granted asylum. Once an asylum seeker has been recognized as a refugee and is allowed to remain in the Netherlands, they are granted a temporary residence permit for five years.

A refugee with a residence permit is referred to as a status holder. From that moment on, this person is allowed to participate fully in Dutch society and integrate. 

If someone has lived in the Netherlands with a residence permit for at least five years, speaks Dutch, and passes an integration exam, they can apply for Dutch citizenship.

Do residents have a say in the reception centers? Do you consult with the neighborhood in advance about locations?

Because the reception of refugees is a legal obligation, the municipal executive can take this decision. The municipal executive takes responsibility for this decision. The municipal executive informs the municipal council about this. 

Once a location has been found and agreements have been made with COA, we will inform local residents, businesses in the vicinity of the location, and all residents of the municipalities. 

Of course, the mayor and aldermen will ensure that residents can have their say about the details of the reception center wherever possible. We are committed to ensuring that the reception center runs smoothly for everyone, both local residents and refugees.   

When will the reception centers open?

That is not yet known. In order to count toward the requirements of the Distribution Act, the locations must be available to the COA before July 1, 2025. 

What if the Distribution Act is scrapped? Can municipalities also say 'no' to taking in refugees?

There are insufficient reception facilities available in any case, and the humanitarian need is great. That will not change if the Distribution Act is scrapped. We believe that all municipalities should contribute to the reception of refugees, regardless of whether there is a Distribution Act or not. We see this as our social responsibility. 

Is the reception of refugees at the expense of our own residents?

No, providing emergency shelter for refugees does not mean that we will also be taking in more status holders. This means that there is no need to look for additional housing in our municipality.

What about facilities such as education and healthcare? 

The municipality must provide education to all school-age children. All children in the Netherlands have the right to education. Children of asylum seekers start school within three months of arriving in the Netherlands.
Care is organized differently for each type of accommodation facility. This also depends on the size of a location. The basic principle is that a location is operated by the COA. This includes the COA arranging care.