BO ELISE

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Reception of asylum seekers extended

The municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee has extended the reception of asylum seekers in the outer harbour of Stellendam until FEb 15, 2026. With this extension, the municipality responded to a request from the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). The request was to continue to help with the reception of asylum seekers, as there was still a great need for reception places in order to relieve the pressure on the registration centre in Ter Apel. At the moment, 118 asylum seekers are accomodated on the 'Bo Elise' which has replaced the 'Esmeralda', which needed maintenance and will not return Stellendam afterwards. The extension of the reception in Stellendam is in line with the regional reception plan for Rotterdam-Rijnmond. This plan was drawn up in the context of the Distribution Act. It was created after extensive consultation between municipalities and other parties involved. The aim is to achieve a balanced distribution of the reception of asylum seekers across the municipalities in the region. The plan stipulates that Goeree-Overflakkee will provide a total of 298 reception places for asylum seekers. With the locations in Middelharnis and Stellendam, the municipality complies with this agreement. On Nov 7, representatives of the municipality and the COA spoke with a s group of stakeholders at the outer harbour of Stellendam. The reception period from jan 1, 2024 to the present was evaluated. The reception was generally going well and quietly. However, members of the group did ask for attention to traffic safety around the reception ship, especially when it is dark. The municipality and COA are addressing this point.