In a press release published today, Nicole de Moor stated: "I'm making the decision now to reserve all available places for families with children. The high number of asylum seekers who came to our country in the past two years still weighs on the reception network. We keep opening new centers, but everyone has seen over the past year how difficult it is to create shelters. I absolutely want to prevent children from ending up on the street".

The decision from Nicole de Moor has generated numerous reactions. Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen has decided to no longer participate in the reception policy that excludes that entire group. Several policymakers, at the federal and regional level, expressed strong disapproval and concerns, inter alia about a possible increase in the number of homeless people in Brussels. The chairwoman of the League for Human Rights stated that this is absolutely not in accordance with international or Belgian law and that reception must be provided for everyone. The European Commission also questioned Belgium for suspending reception of single male asylum seekers.

Nicole de Moor reacted to criticism: “My door remains open to anyone who wants to help find ways to accelerate the outflow of recognized refugees from reception centers and provide emergency shelter.”

For further information, please read (in Dutch) the press release from State Secretary Nicole de Moor.