Overcrowding eases at Ter Apel asylum center for first time in months
Overcrowding at the asylum registration center in Ter Apel has eased for the first time in months, while a temporary shelter in Biddinghuizen has closed as planned, NU.nl reports.
Fewer than 2,000 people stayed overnight from Thursday to Friday at the Ter Apel center, according to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). That figure marks the legal maximum set by a court ruling. The COA faces a fine of 15,000 euros per day payable to the municipality of Westerwolde for each day the number exceeds 2,000.
At the same time, the winter shelter in Biddinghuizen — established to relieve pressure on Ter Apel — has been emptied as of Friday. The closure was prearranged to allow dismantling of the site ahead of the festival season.
The developments follow an urgent appeal from asylum minister Bart van den Brink, who last week called on municipalities to rapidly create emergency shelter capacity. Without intervention, the shortage was projected to reach 4,500 places, rising further to 7,900 by the end of summer.
Several municipalities responded. In Breda, the Breepark events hall was converted into an emergency shelter with space for 500 people throughout April. The facility will close afterward due to scheduled summer events. Since Wednesday, large groups of asylum seekers have been transferred there from Biddinghuizen.
Additional capacity has been created elsewhere. Dronten will host up to 200 asylum seekers at its reception center through September, with spaces available from Easter. Almere has opened 170 places in a central reception facility, while Leiden has added 70. Berg en Dal has made 64 beds available at Fletcher Hotel De Gelderse Poort.
The COA has paid 6.5 million euros in penalties in recent years due to persistent overcrowding at Ter Apel. Since last week, it has also incurred fines from Hardenberg, where about 400 asylum seekers remain despite a deadline requiring the site to be vacated.
