Victims of the March 22nd attacks at the airport in Zaventem and at the Maelbeek metro station in Brussels may, as well as their next of kin, claim urgent financial aid through the Fonds d'Aide aux Victimes (a fund which convicted criminals pay into for the benefit of crime victims).
So stressed the Ministry of Justice, in a communication release on Sunday evening. This financial aid takes the form of a financial advance of up to a maximum total of 15,000 euros.
The Ministry has announced the creation of a single point of contact to support victims.
Victims and their next-of kin can apply to this point of contact, introduced within the Fonds d'Aide aux Victimes, via the e-mail address terrorvictims@just.fgov.be from 18 April, and via the number 0471/12.31.24 from 20 April.
“The government will also take the initiative by searching for victims and their next of kin in a proactive way and providing support to them. This will be based on lists that hospitals have made available,” stresses the announcement.
On the sidelines of the March Against Terror, the organisers of the event met the Premier Minister Charles Michel and the main government ministers, at the end of the day at Lambermont (the Prime Minister Charles Michel's residence).
Following the meeting, Charles Michel announced that the governement was getting down to improving the situation of the victims of the attacks. He expects, following a cabinet meeting next week, to be in a position to take measures facilitating both compensation and providing care for admitted patients without them having to wait - sometimes for long periods - for health insurers to become involved.
This announcement was confirmed by the Ministry of Justice. “A bill and a royal decree” will be proposed by the latter, in view of the required regulatory adjustments to the Fonds d'Aide aux Victimes, mainly concerning compensation and conditions.
(Source: Belga)
