DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
The Netherlands opens borders to 100 refugees affected by Moria fire
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

The Netherlands opens borders to 100 refugees affected by Moria fire

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Number of international students in the Netherlands continues to riseNumber of international students in the Netherlands continues to rise
Moving to the Netherlands: The ultimate checklistMoving to the Netherlands: The ultimate checklist
Immigration to the Netherlands rose to record highs in 2022Immigration to the Netherlands rose to record highs in 2022
IND: Rules for revoking temporary residency of British expats to changeIND: Rules for revoking temporary residency of British expats to change
Dutch population grows in first quarter of 2023 thanks to immigrationDutch population grows in first quarter of 2023 thanks to immigration
IND is ‘reaching its limits’, calls for reform to Dutch migration policyIND is ‘reaching its limits’, calls for reform to Dutch migration policy
Algorithm used for visa applications can lead to discrimination, Dutch minister warned  Algorithm used for visa applications can lead to discrimination, Dutch minister warned
Immigration pushes population of the Netherlands to 17,8 millionImmigration pushes population of the Netherlands to 17,8 million
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Sep 11, 2020
Victoria Séveno
Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association in London. She has a love for all things movies, animals, and food. Read more

The Dutch government has agreed to take in 100 refugees who were affected by the tragic fires in the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. 50 of these refugees will be unaccompanied minors (under the age of 14). 

The Netherlands to accept 100 refugees

Europe’s largest refugee camp, Moria, on the Greek island of Lesbos, was destroyed by fires on September 9, leaving 13.000 people without shelter. Three separate fires are said to have broken out across the camp within a short space of time, before growing and setting almost the whole camp alight. 

In a statement, State Secretary for Justice and Security, Ankie Broekers-Knol, said: “In this exceptional situation, according to the government - and myself too - exceptional steps are needed.” The Netherlands had already made one million euros available for emergency aid in Greece, and has now agreed to take on 100 refugees who have been affected by the fires. 

Of the 100 refugees, 50 will be unaccompanied minors. The other 50 will be made up of families with children under the age of 14. Broekers-Knol said it was possible to take this number because fewer people have been relocating to the Netherlands during the coronavirus pandemic. However, a condition has been set, that 100 of the 500 refugees the Netherlands was due to welcome in 2021 will not be allowed to enter the country. 

Criticism for Dutch government’s decision

The government’s decision has faced some serious backlash, and a number of refugee organisations in the Netherlands feel the country is not doing enough. “I find it really shameful that so few refugees are allowed to come to the Netherlands after such a catastrophe in Lesbos,” Tineke Ceelen, director of the Refugee Foundation (Stichting Vluchteling), told NOS. 

Similarly, the Dutch Council for Refugees have called the offer “empty”, saying a price tag has been attached to the provision of emergency aid: “The reception of refugees from the burnt camp Moria will be at the expense of additional vulnerable refugees who have been selected worldwide because they cannot be properly protected in refugee camps in the region.”

There have also been rifts between Dutch political parties. GroenLinks, D66, Denk, and the Labour Party (PvdA) all said they would have preferred to take on more people. D66 and ChristenUnie - both members of the government coalition - said they had tried to fight for more, but had been forced to compromise. On the other hand, Party for Freedom (PVV), have said that the deal “rewards” arson committed by refugees. 

By Victoria Séveno