Almost two years after Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, 35,000 Ukrainian refugees remain in northern Belgium. They enjoy ‘temporary protection status’ and are cared for by the local administrations. The help they get from local authorities is bearing fruit, says Jeroen Windey, head of the task force for the reception of Ukrainians. "We succeed in reaching many people, 54 per cent of working-age Ukrainians are registered with the Flemish employment agency VDAB."
Next month will mark two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Following that, millions of Ukrainians fled their country. About 4 million of them fled to European Union countries, where they were granted temporary protection status.
Belgium too accommodates refugees from Ukraine. In total, just under 78,000 Ukrainians have been granted a certificate of temporary protection here since the start of the conflict. "Less than what was expected at the beginning," says Jeroen Windey. He is administrator-general at the Flemish Domestic Administration Agency and heads the task force for the reception of Ukrainians.
Housing sorted
"Today, some 35,000 displaced people still live in Flanders. Most of them have now moved onto the private rental market. Currently, some 5,700 people find shelter in temporarily subsidised shelters. These are shelters that local government offers through its own infrastructure or accommodation that it rents. The emergency villages in Antwerp, Mechelen and Ghent are still operating, all together now housing about 1,200 people."
Every month, 600 to 800 people flow through these villages and move on to care by the municipalities
Flanders is popular
Every month, about 1,000 to 1,350 new Ukrainians receive a certificate of temporary protection, says Windey. 60 per cent of them end up in Flanders, totalling between 600 and 800 people per month. "Local municipalities are in charge of counselling. They are doing good work, but efforts still need to be made."
Will the EU extend protection for Ukrainians?
Meanwhile, the temporary protection status, granted by Europe just after the Russian invasion, has been extended until March 2025. Today, the European foreign and justice ministers are discussing this status. "I understand questions are being asked about it," says Windey. "In the beginning it was supposed to be temporary reception, now you see it is becoming more permanent. Still, the municipalities continue to fulfil the necessary tasks."
54 per cent are registered with employment agency
Ukrainian refugees can follow an integration programme on a voluntary basis. "We have done a lot to accommodate that target group, we managed to reach many people," Windey says. "More than 15,000 individual guidance pathways have started. There are more than 12,000 registrations for "Welcome to Flanders" information sessions. More than 20,000 registrations for Dutch as a second language classes have been made. It is bearing fruit."
Counselling to help people find work remains an issue. "Many refugees are mothers with children, with traumas.... many men have stayed in Ukraine, but you can see that we are reaching these women. Currently, 54 per cent of working-age displaced persons are registered with the Flemish employment agency VDAB. The knowledge of Dutch is starting to grow, which is necessary if you want to find work. You can see that the figures relating to labour market participation are starting to rise."
What about the future?
The temporary protection status runs until March 2025. What after that? "At the start it was a clear choice for the European Union, a statement in support of Ukraine. If you look at the situation in Ukraine now, you see no change in the principle factors. I do understand that a debate is taking place and that people are considering whether this status should be extended."