Other information and services: www.belgium.be

The King and Queen visit Ukrainian refugees

Het Belgisch Koningspaar, Staatssecretaris Mahdi aan de ingang van een gebouw. Er lopen twee kindjes naast de koning.
The royal couple visited Fedasil's emergency shelter in Molenbeek on Wednesday 9 March.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited the emergency shelter in the Brussels district of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean that was set up a few days ago for Ukrainian refugees who do not yet have housing in Belgium.

The royal couple was welcomed by State Secretary Sammy Mahdi, the people in charge of Fedasil, the Immigration Department and volunteers from the Red Cross, as well as by the Mayor of Molenbeek.

After a briefing on the procedures for the registration and hosting of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Belgium, the King and Queen were able to talk to several families residing at the centre.

The emergency shelter in Molenbeek, which is managed by Fedasil, provides shelter for one or two nights to refugees who have not yet found a long-term solution. The centre has 250 beds and currently accommodates 98 people – mostly families with children.

By way of a reminder, Ukrainians automatically enjoy temporary protection status and therefore do not need to apply for asylum. Belgium has provided a specific route for their registration and accommodation that does not form part of Fedasil's conventional reception network.