King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited a military barrack currently housing Ukrainian refugees and got a chance to speak with many of them.
On Thursday, 10 March, Their Majesties travelled to the small village of Harskamp, in the municipality of Ede, roughly 80 kilometres southeast of Amsterdam. The village is home to the homonym military barracks, which, at the moment, are serving as a temporary shelter for refugees coming from Ukraine.
Many of the people who spoke with the King and Queen had just arrived in the Netherlands after gruelling and difficult journeys to escape Russian military attacks.
One child told Queen Máxima that he and his mother had travelled ten days in the car before arriving to safety.
“Daddy stayed behind,” the child added. Ukraine has put in place a mandate for all men aged 18 to 60 to remain in the country and fight, which is why most of the civilian population currently arriving in Europe is made mainly of the elderly, women and children.
A couple speaking to the King explained that their son was not allowed to leave the country and concluded saying: “We hope there will soon be peace so that we can see him again,” to which His Majesty nodded in agreement.
The barracks are currently managed in a joint effort by many different entities, all working together to try and facilitate the processing of papers in a timely fashion.
Ede Mayor René Verhulst explained that, because they are refugees and not asylum seekers, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum seekers (COA) has to pass the files on to the Dutch branch of the International Red Cross, whose representatives are also present at the camp, and the Netherland Council for Refugees. The Mayor concluded by saying: “That will be quite a task, but it will work.”
At the end of their visit, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima offered some quick observations, with His Majesty noting with pride that the Netherlands have shown themselves “in the best way” during this crisis, and thanking all the volunteers who are working relentlessly to make Ukrainians feel welcomed.
For her part, the Queen said that she was glad that the children’s “eyes could still sparkle” at the sight of the many toys that were donated to the camp, and agreeing with King Willem-Alexander’s observation: “It is tragic what has suddenly happened to these completely innocent people.”
In the early hours of 24 February 2022, Russia launched a military invasion of its neighbour, Ukraine. Since then, many royal families have shown their support, both through “soft diplomacy” and with conspicuous donations to various relief funds.
