Belgium to provide Ukrainian refugees with asylum as volunteers mobilise

Belgian secretary of state for asylum and migration Sammy Mahdi has pledged to accept Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of their country.

Mahdi made his proposal to the EU council of migration ministers on Monday, asking for the activation of an EU directive dating from 1991 that provides automatic protection across the EU without the need for refugees to follow the asylum procedure. The protection would apply for one year, a period that could twice be extended for one year.

The Belgian proposal was accepted by all 27 EU Member States meaning that Ukrainian nationals do not require a visa to travel to Belgium and can stay here or in another EU state for up to 90 days.

“Over a 12-month period, this status can be twice extended for six months at a time, so it’s two years in total,” the minister told Bel-RTL. “After that, we will obviously evaluate the situation in Ukraine.” he said.

The legislation granting this “automatic protection” refugee status bypasses normal asylum procedures and will be formally adopted in Belgium on Thursday, although it's already being applied from Monday.

“Ukrainians who arrive in Belgium will not have to undergo certain procedures,” he said. “They will automatically receive protection and can immediately set about building a life in Belgium.”

Mahdi envisages most refugees ending up in neighbouring countries, but if numbers are large, refugees will also arrive in Belgium: “Many refugees may prefer to remain in the region, in neighbouring countries where they might have family,” he said. “But we are opening our arms and hearts and must show Europe we are prepared to accommodate refugees.”

The minister is also setting up a task force, in consultation with the National Crisis Centre, to coordinate government aid actions and support the large numbers of volunteers who are already working to help Ukrainian refugees in Belgium and those flooding over the country’s EU borders to escape the war.

Appeal for volunteers to offer temporary shelter to Ukrainians

As part of the government aid plan, a reception centre for refugees is being set up at the former Jules Bordet hospital in Brussels. Ukrainians will be registered at the centre, where they will be able to apply for automatic protection and receive a first shelter of limited duration. From there, the responsibility will be passed to local authorities for the housing of Ukrainians.

Citizens who are willing to house refugees should approach their municipality if they want to show solidarity and offer temporary shelter to fleeing Ukrainians.

"Do you have a place available and are you willing to receive people from Ukraine?” asked Mahdi. “Be sure to report this to your municipality."

The state secretary is convening an Interministerial Conference (IMC) with competent ministers from the regions and the communities to inform them about the challenges associated with the reception of Ukrainians and to make joint efforts to integrate these people into daily life.

Sustainable housing is one aspect of this, but also letting children go to school or helping people find work.

Aid for Ukrainians fleeing their country

Elsewhere in Belgium, efforts are being stepped up to get aid to fleeing Ukrainians as they cross into neighbouring EU countries. Hundreds of thousands of mainly women and children are crossing the border, mainly into Poland. They need blankets, pillows, children's clothes, baby food, nappies and feminine hygiene products. The non-profit organisation Agora is one of the groups collecting donations.

“We have an acquaintance in Poland who is on the front line welcoming refugees,” explained Patrick Willems, founder of Agora. "She contacted us to tell us of everything the volunteers lack for refugees when they arrive. They have a lot of things on site, but the reception mainly concerns mothers with their children from zero to three-years-old."

Willems' friend, Magdalena Brhel, is a tourist guide in Krakow. She explains that "on the streets of Krakow, one in five cars has a Ukrainian license plate, This is something that has changed. The refugees speak little. They are scared. The children are in shock. These are people who need everything. Many only have the clothes they left their homes with. Some are in pyjamas. We have a lot of things there, but a convoy of 160 refugees only needs to arrive for everything to be exhausted."

The most pressing supplies include: blankets, duvets and cushions, children's clothing, baby food, comforters, nappies and sanitary napkins. Equipment donations are received in Liège, Visé, Neupré, Juprelle, Ben Ahin, Housse, Jehanster, Harzé and Lessines.

The addresses and telephone numbers of these reception centres can be found here.

The Agora convoys plan to leave on Thursday night for Krakow, arriving Friday morning.

As well as donating products and equipment, it's also possible to make a financial donation to Agora viz its bank account: BE26 0688 9736 6629. This money will be used to pay for the fuel for the trip to Krakow. Depending on the quantity of equipment donated, the association may also need drivers and vehicles.