By the end of June, the Brussels region will be looking for 20,000 places to house Ukrainian refugees in the longer term. This follows the phase of providing crisis housing, in which many refugees have ended up at volunteers' homes. By April 15, 3,000 places must be found.
The global solidarity with Ukrainian refugees is also being demonstrated in Belgium, where they have opened a center dedicated to registering Ukrainian asylum applications. Local NGOs express regret that all asylum seekers are not receiving the same warm hand of welcome.
The Belgian government has approved the construction of four new centres to handle the deportation of illegal residents in the country, according to a press release from state secretary for asylum and migration Sammy Mahdi.
Ukrainian refugees entering Belgium are currently entitled to a living wage but must still pay for their own shelter. The federal government will meet on Friday to examine whether this is the best way to provide aid for those fleeing the Russian invasion.