Reception places for asylum seekers made available by the Defence Ministry are not "unused" – but must be "kept free for vulnerable people seeking asylum in Belgium," State Secretary for Asylum Nicole de Moor said on Friday morning in response to growing criticism over unused shelter facilities and asylum seekers being forced sleeping on the street.
While Belgium has been facing a reception crisis for months, 365 places in three reception centres in the Ministry of Defence remain empty, reports De Morgen, based on figures from Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder.
"Those who demand that we use every last shelter today also demand that we leave families and children on the street tomorrow," de Moor said.
"Operational problems"
"I do not accept the criticism that the reception facilities remain unused," Nicole de Moor reacted in a statement. "Some days there are more than 90 vulnerable people to whom we give priority for reception. We can only do this by reserving enough places for them."
However, the Secretary of State acknowledged operational problems, Belga reports. The capacity of the emergency reception centres in Jabbeke and Glons is currently limited to 75 and 213 places respectively. "These centres are not yet at full capacity" because of "various difficulties", including problems with the canteen and heating, according to de Moor.
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The situation is different in Berlaar, where 750 places are normally available. But the capacity was limited to 633 people after a recent fight and calm must be restored before more people can be accommodated again, she stated.
"Fedasil, together with the Crisis Centre, Civil Protection and Defence, are looking for solutions to these problems. They have overcome an incredible number of such obstacles over the past year to create additional accommodation. I do not accept this criticism", the Secretary of State finally concluded.
