WTC building booked, hundreds more places found for refugees

The accommodation in an office block in Brussels for refugees waiting to be processed by the government agency Fedasil is fully occupied, the Red Cross has reported. The recent bad weather saw many asylum-seekers move indoors, although the tent camp in the nearby Maximilian Park is still occupied.

The sleeping quarters in the building known as WTC III, close to North Station, had originally been equipped for 500 people, but the capacity was then reduced to 300 to improve on comfort. At that stage, people still preferred to remain in the tent camp, with only 20 or so refugees using the accommodation provided.

The Red Cross supervises operations at both locations and reported that the lack of privacy offered in the huge room full of cots and the requirement to vacate the WTC building during the day were the main reasons the refugees preferred the tents in Maximilian Park.

Prime minister Charles Michel stepped in to ask that the premises be made accessible to occupants during the day. As the rain began to fall, all beds in the building were fully booked by Wednesday. Yesterday, more accommodation opened up elsewhere for a further 200 beds, and the government was looking for yet more accommodation in the neighbourhood.

The temporary accommodations are for people who cannot be processed the same day that they arrive at the Office for Foreigners in Brussels, which can only process 250 people a day. Upon processing, refugees are given more permanent accommodation by the federal agency Fedasil.

Fedasil has announced a plan to place 700 processed refugees at two military bases on the Flemish coast: 400 at the air base in Koksijde and 300 at the army base in Lombardsijde, part of Middelkerke. The move was criticised by local authorities and unions representing military personnel, citing safety concerns. Both bases are operational, with training exercises taking place daily.

Elsewhere, an emergency reception centre in Sint-Niklaas also reached its maximum capacity of 252 people. Another centre will be opened next week in Houthalen-Helchteren, Limburg, with 600 beds, the Red Cross said.

Photo: Refugees arrive at the WTC III building in Schaerbeek
©Filip De Smet/BELGA