Bart De Wever: “Shelter in citizens’ homes is all well and good, but should only be the very last option”

“Due to the European migration policy, the Fedasil reception locations are permanently full, largely with people who are not entitled to asylum. Now that the war is in Europe, the federal government must ask its citizens to provide shelter for genuine refugees. People are responding to this request in solidarity, and that is all well and good, but such a shelter in people’s homes should only be the very last option.” That is what Bart De Wever says, who, as the mayor of Antwerp, is now looking for collective reception options.

“In such collective reception facilities, we can assist refugees properly. And they can also stay there for as long as it is needed. However, as a private person, I want to help too, and I will do so by transferring a substantial amount to an aid organisation,” says Bart De Wever.

In the meantime, Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon has asked the local authorities to map out the availability of large-scale collective reception options for Ukrainian refugees.