The emergency village built two years ago in Mechelen for Ukrainians will shortly be closed
The Flemish Red Cross confirmed that the emergency village built in Mechelen in May 2022 for Ukrainians will close its doors in a few months. The rental contracts expire at the end of June 2024 and the Flemish Red Cross wants to help the 319 people still staying there find sustainable housing by then.
The emergency village for Ukrainians at De Nekker in Mechelen opened its doors almost 2 years ago. It was, like Antwerp, one of the first emergency villages in Flanders. The Flemish government installed temporary housing containers and sanitary facilities for up to 600 people. A total of 1.415 people were accommodated there.
The influx from Ukraine has in the meantime decreased. In February 2024, 1.002 persons received a temporary protection certificate in Belgium. In March 2022, this figure amounted to 26.507 persons.
The village will close in phases. The residents have been informed of this. The city will now work with the Red Cross to help residents find sustainable housing elsewhere.
The closure fits in with a broader plan by the Flemish government to phase out emergency villages.
For further information, please read the following press articles in Dutch on VRT news or Knack.