UDI to close down almost 1,000 asylum places

asylum seekers july - UDI familyThe Norwegian Department of Immigration (UDI). Photo Norway Today Media

The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) will close down additional 930 places in its reception centers. Since much fewer asylum seekers came to Norway,  six reception centres across the country will now be closed down.

The six centers to be closed down this time round are Harstad state reception in Troms,  Volda reception centre in More og Romsdal, Øyrane state reception in Sogn og Fjordane, Sauda state reception in Rogaland, Arendal state reception in Aust-Agder and Sarpsborg reception in Østfold .

UDI closed down 10.800 reception places earlier this autumn. They  also announced further closures for the autumn and next year if they continue to get such few asylum seekers to Norway.

– Now we need to close down an additional 930 ordinary reception places. This unfortunately affects our reception staff, local authorities and residents, said Director Christine Wilberg .

The cover at  Norwegian asylum centers has halved since the start of the year, when well over 30.300 people stayed at the reception centres.

On Monday November 28, this figure was reduced to 15,300. So far this year there have been 3,000 asylum seekers coming to Norway. Arrivals have hovered around 60 to 70 people per week since February this year.

Sarpsborg reception centre will be closed already in December, Øyrane reception centre by April 1 next year and the rest will be closed down by March 1. UDI is also warning that there may be further cuts to reception capacity next year, if the trend of  fewer asylum seekers continues as today.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today

 

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