So far, we have mostly shared use cases containing joyful news: a new collaboration, a beautiful campaign, or a product launch. But news is not always positive. Two weeks ago, Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen shared the painful news that for the first time, families with children in Brussels had to sleep on the street due to new shelter rules.
You can imagine that this news caused quite a stir. In this blog, we highlight the organization, the specific news, the support, and the results.
The organization
Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen is a non-profit organization dedicated to refugees and asylum seekers. The organization provides legal assistance and supplies information on the rights of refugees. Additionally, Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen advocates for humane shelter and supports refugees in finding their place in society.
In this latest press release, they particularly want to urge the government to urgently reverse the recently imposed strict measures. The organization emphasizes the necessity that families with children who apply for asylum in Belgium should be guaranteed a place in a reception center.
The news
As mentioned, the news was alarming: due to new shelter rules, families with children in Brussels had to sleep on the street for the first time. A day before sending out the press release, staff members of Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen met the first victims of this measure. Among them was an Afghan family with three young children. Despite efforts by the staff to arrange emergency shelter, these families remained on the street.
This nightmare stems from new asylum policies. Specifically, Fedasil, the Belgian federal agency for the reception of asylum seekers, has had the authority since August 4th to refuse shelter to individuals who have already received protection in another European country. After witnessing these events, Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen decided to share the news with the media.
Support from Presscloud
For this campaign, there was no personalized help or guidance from Presscloud. Where there had been much back and forth communication about the tools last year, particularly the segmentation in the press lists, Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen was able to handle it all by themselves this time.
The results
Publicizing is one thing, getting media attention is another. It is, of course, a sensitive topic, so the media might also refrain from touching it. But 'fortunately', this news received the attention it deserves.
The press release was featured in the largest Flemish media, such as De Standaard, the Gazet van Antwerpen, DeWereldMorgen, Nieuwsblad, De Morgen Magazine, VRT Nieuwsdienst, De Tijd and Bruzz. A well-deserved platform.
