Last week, it was announced that an extra 2,500 places will be created on top of the present 18,500, but this is not enough. Extra beds will be made available in the present reception centres in the short run, but at the same time new asylum centres will be opened at new locations.

Theo Francken explained that Belgium is receiving double the number of migrants than the average, at present: 3,000 for July and probably over 4,000 in August (coming from about 1,500 in May).

Most refugees come from war-torn countries such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. "It is our duty to offer these people shelter, they need help. But we won't give them financial support, only material support: a bed, a bath and bread", Francken explained.