(dit is een Engelse versie van eerder geplaatste artikel over de opvang van Oekraïners)

A recent letter from the Ombudsman highlighted that the accommodation of Ukrainians in the Netherlands is not going in the right direction. The letter also arrived at the municipality of Twenterand, but the municipality does not recognize itself in what is written. The daily situation in Den Ham and Vriezenveen stands in stark contrast to the Ombudsman’s observations, and in a positive way.

Dignified Accommodation

Both the letter and two residents at the Den Ham facility confirm that some locations in the Netherlands lack the basic necessities of life. There is no privacy, and people often live with multiple families in rooms that are too small. Bathrooms are shared, and there is often no kitchen for personal use. Many people are also repeatedly relocated to other centers, some of which have even fewer and poorer facilities.

These conditions do not support the stability of those living in the centers. People often have to look for new jobs after being moved, a process that is already difficult. Children frequently have to change schools as well.

In Twenterand, the situation is much better. Each family has a bungalow or mobile home with a private bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom(s). There is ample space for sports and play. The Den Ham facility even has a swimming pool that residents can use during the summer.

Residents are provided with transportation to and from school, most adults work daily, and the atmosphere is safe. According to Tanja de Wit, Project Leader for Refugees and Status Holders, parents who previously had to constantly supervise their children can finally relax. It is also noted that children show significant improvement after arriving at the location.

A Sense of Freedom

In a conversation with one of the residents, she described her previous experience at another facility. She lived in a hotel room with her mother and her young son. While the room was adequate for sleeping, it was still just a hotel room. There was no kitchen, and little to do. Her son was in a wheelchair and had virtually no space to move. Meals were prepared only a few times a day, and if she was absent or her son did not like the food, he either ate cold meals or went without.

Since moving to Den Ham, she has regained a sense of freedom, not only in terms of mobility but also in being able to eat when convenient. Her son now interacts with other children, attends school with them, and has peers to play with, which greatly supports his development.

It Can Be Better

The accommodation in Twenterand demonstrates how it can be done, how it should be done at the locations the Ombudsman addresses. It is a dignified environment that meets the basic needs of the people it hosts. With the new year approaching, there is an opportunity for improvement. Not all centers have the same possibilities, but striving for a more humane and respectful approach would already be a significant step forward based on the complaints in the report. As one of the residents said during our conversation, “We want to be treated as people, not as a number.”

Text: Sven Hubert

foto: Oekraïne opvang Twenterand