In een nieuw rapport dringt Amnesty International er bij de Belgische regering op aan om ervoor te zorgen dat alle asielzoekers adequate huisvesting en toegang tot gezondheidszorg krijgen, inclusief gespecialiseerde psychologische ondersteuning, ongeacht hun huisvestingssituatie. De Belgische autoriteiten worden ook opgeroepen om het "spreidingsplan" uit de nationale wetgeving te activeren en noodplannen te implementeren om schommelingen in het aantal asielaanvragen op te vangen.

The EU launched a call for proposals under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund to prevent irregular migration through awareness-raising and information campaigns on the risks of irregular migration in selected third countries and within Europe. The available call budget is EUR 10 000 000.

On 25 March 2025, the Belgian Contact Point to the European Migration Network (EMN) participated in a study morning dedicated to the presentation of a new tool: "The Reception Centre as Seen by Children." The new tool provides practical methods for capturing children's experiences, enabling professionals to better understand their needs and enhance the quality of care in these centres.

The Minister for Asylum and Migration has decided to discontinue the Impuls Fund, which had been established to provide additional support to local authorities in covering the extra costs associated with opening new Local Reception Initiatives. The Minister will now move towards a more collective approach to reception, with existing Local Reception Initiatives being gradually phased out. 

In their report 2024, seven humanitarian and civil society organisations raise concerns over the Belgian government's plan to reduce reception places for applicants for international protection, warning that this measure could increase homelessness, negatively impact individuals' health and integration prospects, and generate significant hidden costs for society.

Fedasil revealed that Belgium resettled 487 people in 2024, exceeding the 287 resettled in 2023. The refugees resettled in 2024 mainly came from countries such as Syria, Congo, Eritrea and Sudan.

Terwijl België blijft kampen met een opvangcrisis die sinds de zomer van 2021 aanhoudt, blijkt uit de laatste cijfers van Fedasil dat het aantal plaatsen voor asielzoekers dar door gemeenten beschikbaar wordt gesteld, blijft afnemen.

The UK Home Office released provisional figures showing that more than 36.000 people were detected in 2024, making the crossing of the English Channel in small boats. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that at least 78 migrants died trying to cross the Channel in 2024.

On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, Fedasil highlights the importance of volunteers who give their time to residents in reception centres and of sponsors who create links with these residents outside of the centres. If you have free time, join them and contact a reception centre in your neighbourhood!

The Federal Institute for Human Rights launched an investigation into "the growing tendency of Belgian authorities not to implement court decisions that condemn them", inter alia regarding the reception of applicants for international protection. The report following the investigation will be sent to the Chamber of Representatives.

Fedasil announced that the Belgian reception network has now a higher capacity than that recorded during the asylum crisis of 2015-2016. However, this capacity is insufficient to accommodate all applicants for international protection who are entitled to reception. At present, 2.650 single men are still on the waiting list for a reception place.

Fedasil heeft aangekondigd tijdelijk gebruik te maken van centra in Bredene (Vlaanderen) en in Theux (Wallonië) om aanvragers voor internationale bescherming op te vangen tot maart 2025. Beide locaties zijn in het verleden al door Fedasil gebruikt, telkens voor een periode van enkele maanden.

Fedasil has a budget for financing specific projects relating to the reception of asylum seekers (and other reception beneficiaries). The Agency has launched its call for projects for the year 2025. In 2025, the focus will be on projects that focus on support, activation, and housing.

Eerstelijnswerkers krijgen in hun job soms te maken met verzoekers van internationale bescherming met een trauma, met conflicten, spanningen en zelfs persoonlijke veiligheidsrisico's. Bijgevolg worden ze blootgesteld aan een hoog risico op persoonlijke stress en burn-outs, depressie, trauma en andere mentale gezondheidsproblemen. Deze conferentie wil nationale en Europese stakeholders samenbrengen om ervaringen, uitdagingen en praktische oplossingen te bespreken.

After nearly two years of closure, Fedasil’s Info Point reopened on 27 September 2023, at its new location in rue Héger-Bordet, 3. The Info Point offers information and counseling for applicants for international protection living outside the reception network, but also migrants in transit and persons without a residence permit.

According to a new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA), EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) projects have reported the delivery of many of the planned outputs and partially achieved their objectives. Despite this, the financial support from the EUTF support is still insufficiently focused on the agreed priorities. Furthermore, there are challenges in relation to reporting, ensuring the sustainability of results and safeguarding human rights.

In a statement from 19 September 2024, the Council of Europe notes that Belgium has taken steps to address the wider reception crisis (such as creating 3.500 additional reception places and accelerating the examination of certain asylum applications to free up existing reception places), but these measures are insufficient.

In a press release from 9 September 2024, the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor reacted to the Hungarian government’s recent threats to send migrants to Brussels. She advocated for a joint, coordinated policy, in which respect for European values and international obligations are central. 

The Belgian Red Cross announced the opening of a new reception centre for applicants for international protection in Brussels. It will be able to accommodate up to 360 people.

In het 2024 Rule of Law Report, in het landenhoofdstuk over de rechtsstaat in België, beveelt de Europese Commissie aan dat België stappen onderneemt om ervoor te zorgen dat overheidsinstanties definitieve uitspraken van nationale rechtbanken en het Europees Hof voor de Rechten van de Mens naleven. Hierbij wordt met name gewezen op vonnissen die de staat verantwoordelijk houden voor het niet bieden van adequate opvang aan asielzoekers.

Vanaf 1 juli 2024 zullen volwassen asielzoekers die in een opvangcentrum verblijven en een werkinkomen hebben, moeten bijdragen aan deze opvang. Wie geen bijdrage wil leveren, kan overwegen om buiten het opvangcentrum te verblijven.