The Commission on financial assistance for victims of intentional acts of violence and occasional rescuers has paid out 674, 500 euros in emergency aid since the attacks on the 22nd of March at Zaventem airport and the Maelbeck subway station, the Justice Department, of which the commission is a part, announced on Friday.
The aid is provided through a single window set up following the March attacks in order to facilitate the provision of assistance to the victims of such violence.
Normally, the Commission provides assistance to victims of intentional violence after a judge rules in their favour and in cases where the perpetrator is deemed insolvent, according to the Justice Department. “But the situation following the (March) attacks requires a special system because most of the victims urgently need (financial) assistance,” the Department explained. “They can submit an application to the single window even before filing a complaint. If accepted, they do not have to wait until the end of the procedure to obtain the financial aid they need.”
Five months after the attacks, 215 applications have been filed thus far through the single window. Emergency aid totaling 674,500 euros has been granted to 84 of these applicants.
The Federal Government plans to double the financial aid ceiling for victims of terrorist acts. Belgians resident in countries that have no such provisions can also apply for assistance through the single window.
(Source: Belga)
