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Violence, pushbacks and endless stays in reception centres: refugees suffer inhumane treatment at Europe’s borders. Where are refugees still welcome? Stand in solidarity with people in need.

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From shelter to independence

VluchtelingenWerk supports refugees and asylum seekers from the moment they are sheltered in the Netherlands until they have found their way to independence.

Thanks to the help of all our donors and volunteers, we can help refugees build a new life in the Netherlands.

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Personal Stories

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'I’ve seen all the seasons go by in this container house'

After a horrific journey, Suzan and her three sons barely managed to reach Europe from Syria. Now, in the Netherlands, they are living in one of the country’s many emergency shelters and are trying to make the best of it. But the waiting and insecurity feel endless. 'I’m afraid my kids will never know what a normal life is.'

Desperately waiting for family reunification

The family reunification of refugees is deliberately delayed in order to solve the national reception crisis. A decision with immense consequences, also for the Syrian Mohammed (39), who is consumed with nerves. For years he and his family have been struck by disaster. 'The secure future I wanted for my children remains an illusion.'

Asim: like a father to many

'Baba Asim' is like a father to many refugees. In the Bosnian border town of Bihać, his small supermarket is an oasis for people who want to try to cross the neighbouring and perilous border into Croatia. 'While everyone is turning their backs, I want them to feel human again.'

Pushbacks in Europe: 'They deliberately shot around our feet'

The story of Reza and his family is as horrifying as it is heartbreaking. In 2019, the persecuted atheist flees Iran head over heels, along with his pregnant wife and two young children. Reza tells his story in a refugee camp in Bosnia, just one day after the family got shot at by the infamous Croatian border police.

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Latest articles

Hungary’s fierce and senseless anti-refugee policy

Hungary has been an impenetrable fortress for refugees for years. Those who do manage to cross the barricaded border run a great risk of encountering violent border police. Refugees return in vain from the Hungarian border and often badly injured. Except Ukrainian refugees.

Finally an agreement on ‘spreading law’, but time is already up

Political agreement has finally been reached on the law that intends to spread the reception of refugees and asylum seekers across all municipalities in the Netherlands. The country needed this law to solve the enormous shortage of reception places. Too many municipalities refuse to cooperate and instead hope that other municipalities will do so. This law should put an end to such discussion and encourage action. We are glad an agreement has been reached, but it has taken too long.

Court ruling offers crystal clear instructions to Dutch government

The court has issued a crystal clear and much-needed ruling in the summary proceedings the Dutch Council for Refugees recently initiated to improve the inhumane reception conditions for asylum seekers. Not only did the court rule that asylum seekers should never again end up sleeping on the streets outside Ter Apel, but also that the reception in all emergency shelters must soon meet basic requirements. The reception crisis is most visible in Ter Apel, but has been ongoing in tents, gymnasiums and event halls all around the country for over a year now.

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