Asylum Aargau opens emergency accommodation for refugees in Suhr AG

The canton of Aargau wants to provide a further 290 places for asylum seekers. An emergency shelter for 140 people is to be opened in Suhr AG at the beginning of October. In Leuggern AG, the canton is preparing reserve accommodation for 150 refugees, according to its own information.

The cantonal social services (KSD) will have to open the emergency accommodation in the protected medical center (GSS) in Suhr from the beginning of October in order to remain able to take in refugees, the Aargau state chancellery announced on Tuesday. Where possible, families or men from the asylum sector will be accommodated in the accommodation in Suhr.

According to the State Chancellery, occupancy is dependent on allocations from the State Secretariat for Migration (Sem). The private company ORS Service AG provides round-the-clock care in the temporary underground emergency accommodation.

As there are no suitable cooking facilities in the accommodation, a meal delivery service is providing meals. KSD plans to set up three containers at the emergency shelter as an additional recreation area.

Food will be delivered

At the request of the Suhr municipal council and the Steinfeld retirement and nursing home, the KSD will also build a footpath that will serve the residents of the retirement and nursing home and at the same time ensure that pedestrians and cyclists are separated.

A support group is to be set up for the opening of the accommodation. This will be made up of representatives from the municipal council, Steinfeld retirement and nursing home, local residents, voluntary organizations, ORS, police, civil defence and the KSD.

Further accommodation in Leuggern

In consultation with the municipal council, the canton is also preparing the Protected Medical Center (GSS) in Leuggern as reserve accommodation. If an existing shelter cannot be used temporarily, for example due to a fire, the GSS in Leuggern can be used as a substitute for the necessary time, as the State Chancellery states.

The canton already operates seven emergency shelters with a total of 978 places. The shelters are located in Muri, Birmenstorf, Aarau, Lenzburg, Laufenburg, Obersiggenthal and Dottikon.

Government council declares an emergency

Since January 2023, there has been an emergency situation in Aargau following a decision by the cantonal government. This makes it easier for the canton to find sufficient accommodation. "In an extreme emergency", the cantonal government can issue a confiscation order requiring municipalities and private owners to make suitable properties available.

However, the cantonal government has stated that it is using this option cautiously and in a proportionate manner. The emergency ordinance also allows the civil defense to be deployed to provide support in the shelters.