The Netherlands announced the closure of the central reception center for Ukrainians, which played a key role in providing assistance and support to refugees. This decision came as a surprise to many, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the need for Ukrainians to seek asylum. Find out more about the conditions under which a reception center can be opened

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The Dutch city of Utrecht has closed the Central Reception Center for Ukrainians for newcomers. This is reported by nos.nl.

It is noted that Ukrainians who have arrived in Utrecht and do not need immediate assistance must find housing on their own.

Central shelter for Ukrainian refugees closed in Utrecht, Netherlands

The central reception center for Ukrainians was closed on February 27. It is noted that the center is facing a critical overcrowding of refugees in its central reception center, which has led to its temporary closure to new arrivals. 

With a specified capacity of 140 people, the center was forced to accept 154 refugees last night, which overwhelmed existing resources. The living conditions became more complicated due to long queues to the bathrooms and insufficient privacy for refugees, prompting the authorities to close the center to new arrivals.

As you know, the reception area is located in Hall 5 of the Jaarbeurs exhibition center. The publication notes that since there is no more space in the Netherlands, Ukrainians have nowhere else to go.

This situation is a matter of serious concern, as 50 to 70 new people come to the center in Utrecht every day, seeking help and support. The doors of the reception center will be reopened when the number of Ukrainians is less than 80.

The closure of the center forces Ukrainians who do not need immediate assistance or do not belong to vulnerable categories to find accommodation on their own, which could put additional pressure on the already stressed housing market in the region.

It also highlights the broader problem of a lack of resources and reception space in the Netherlands, where other centers such as Ter Apel are also under pressure due to the large number of asylum seekers. Authorities and NGOs are working to find solutions to provide refugees with the necessary support and housing, but the current situation in Utrecht indicates that needs exceed available resources.

At the same time, this challenge opens up a discussion about the need for more sustainable and long-term planning to address the refugee crisis, including by expanding the reception and support network, and involving more communities to share the burden and resources.

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How can Ukrainians get temporary housing in the Netherlands?

According to help-ukraine.nl, there are currently two main ways in which Ukrainian refugees can find temporary housing in the Netherlands. The first option involves visiting one of the official reception centers, where it is possible to initiate the registration process. The alternative is to find private accommodation through a host family. The website contains information about two such centers: one in Utrecht (now closed) and the other in Ter Apel (Ter Apelervenen 4 and 5, 9561 MC Ter Apel).

Visitors to the center can expect to have their basic needs met, including housing, food, and access to information about additional support. However, the quality of accommodation can vary considerably, from hotels to hostels, and there is no guarantee of accommodation in a particular city, especially in overcrowded Amsterdam.

As of the beginning of 2024, more than 3,000 Ukrainians have applied for assistance at the registration center in Utrecht. Usually, after registering at the Jaarbeurs center, refugees are relocated to municipal shelters, which are currently 99% full. Since February, the shelter near the registration center in Utrecht has been overcrowded every day.

Please note! To ensure a safe stay abroad, you should take care of reliable health insurance in advance, which will not only help you maintain your health, but also protect you from unforeseen expenses. You can take out an insurance policy that covers emergency medical care in case of illnesses and accidents, as well as inpatient and outpatient care around the world on the Visit Ukraine website. In addition, on our portal, you can immediately apply for car insurance - the Green Card, which is mandatory in 50 countries, including the EU.

As a reminder, the Czech Republic has taken decisive measures to improve living conditions for Ukrainian refugees by doubling housing payments from the beginning of 2024. These changes apply to Ukrainians who are under temporary protection in the country. Find out more about the amount of payments according to the innovations.


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