Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – Cities and municipalities are making further demands after the state’s new refugee aid package in the amount of 390 million euros. The City Day of North Rhine-Westphalia was satisfied with the millions. “However, these funds are unique, help in times of need and close acute gaps,” said the chairman of the NRW city association and Essen’s mayor, Thomas Kufen, of the “Rheinische Post” (Thursday). “However, they do not replace plannable and permanent financing for the accommodation and care of refugees for the municipalities.” The country must also adjust the refugee lump sums to the cost development and finally assume the costs for unoccupied places in collective accommodation. For this, the Refugee Admissions Act must be revised quickly.
The Association of Towns and Municipalities of North Rhine-Westphalia made a similar statement. “As helpful as the money is for the moment, the municipalities need a perspective,” said President Eckhard Ruthemeyer of the newspaper. Emergency care in gyms cannot be a permanent solution.
On Tuesday, the black-green state government launched another crisis aid package worth 670 million euros to deal with the consequences of the Russian war against Ukraine. Of this, 390 million euros will go into supporting local authorities in accommodating refugees.
