Crowdfunding raises over €15,000 for each household affected by Tarwekamp explosion

A total of 43 households and businesses who were affected by the explosion at the apartment complex Tarwekamp in The Hague will each receive 15,572 euros. The money has been raised by crowdfunding. Stichting Lichtpuntjes van Mariahoeve collected 654,000 euros, and the Landelijke Federatie van Chinese Organisaties in Nederland, which is the national federation for Chinese organizations in the country, added another 45,500 euros to this on Thursday.

This means that a total just short of 700,000 euros has been raised. A part of this fee will go to the organization Doneeractie for the costs of the online-crowdfunding.

All victims who were eligible for the money have indicated that they wish to claim it. Naomi Barki-van Vliet, director of the Lichtpuntjes van Mariahoeve Foundation, will do her best to pay the amount to the households and entrepreneurs this month. The association have received ANBI-status, which means that the people receiving the money do not have to pay tax on it.

Six people lost their lives as a result of the explosion at the Tarwekamp apartment complex in the Mariahoeve neighborhood last December. Three of these were from a Chinese family, with an eight-year-old son being the sole survivor in the family. Money had already been raised for their funerals, and now a fee from the Chinese community has been handed to the victims.

“They felt it was important to support all the victims in the block,” said Barki-van Vliet. “So that is incredibly kind.” The boy was also present during the awarding of the cheque.

The director emphasized that the money helps, but it is not enough. "It is a drop in the ocean, so much more is needed." She called on insurers to also show leniency with, for example, entrepreneurs whose business operations have been affected.

Stichting Lichtpuntjes van Mariahoeve usually helps people who are struggling in the neighborhood, they often do this with items or activities. Now the center is also offering aid to children who are still struggling with the after effects of the explosion.

“There is a lot of sadness in the area,” said Barki-van Vliet. De Landelijke Federatie van Chinese Organisaties in Nederland represents smaller associations of, among others, the Chinese-Dutch business community, such as in the catering industry.