Red Cross Centre for asylum seekers - Tournai

The centre for asylum seekers in Tournai is one of the 24 reception centres managed by the Red Cross in Belgium. Asylum seekers come from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and other parts of the world. They left their country for different reasons such as forced marriage, war, persecution due to religion, sexual orientation or political opinion. Many of them were separated from their family, and they found themselves without any resource or shelter. The Red Cross is mandated by the government for the reception of asylum seekers, and its work in this area adheres to its principles of humanity, independence and neutrality. The centres provide the following services : • accommodation and food • necessary hygienic means • support and monitoring on the asylum procedure and social support • medical support • compulsory education for minors • cultural and sports activities The centre of Tournai can host up to 450 residents. The centre hosts different kind of family situations: families, childless couples but mostly isolated persons. The infrastructure of the centre enable it to have, beside the usual accommodation facilities, some convivial areas such as a refectory, a library, TV lounges, a games library, a sports hall,...