Doctors warn that children aboard the asylum ship in Rotterdam face the risk of permanent developmental damage.
Doctors and healthcare workers have warned that children living on the Silja asylum ship in Rotterdam (Rotterdam) face serious physical and mental health risks, with fears that prolonged exposure could cause lasting developmental harm.
The ship, one of the largest asylum reception centers in the Netherlands (Nederland), houses around 2,000 status holders, including 578 children. Hundreds of young adults, many without parents, also live on board, raising further concerns about supervision and safety.
Medical staff, including nurse جويل and general practitioner كارولين راينكه, who previously worked on the ship through GZA (Gezondheidszorg Asielzoekers), said they observed widespread health issues among children. These included stomach problems, nausea, sleep disturbances, and significant mental health concerns such as anxiety, aggression, and behavioral disorders.
Healthcare workers linked many of these issues directly to the living conditions on the ship. Treatment is often provided in the vessel’s former swimming pool area, where rooms lack windows and children are sometimes separated from their parents during sleep.
كارولين راينكه warned that if the situation continues, children could suffer long-term consequences, including brain damage, cognitive difficulties, and impaired emotional development. She also highlighted the constant presence of infectious diseases such as scabies and chickenpox, posing additional risks to vulnerable groups.
Concerns about the facility are not new. In 2024, healthcare professionals described the ship as a “pressure cooker” due to overcrowding, violence, and disease outbreaks. Reports at the time cited poor hygiene, unsupervised children, and the spread of illnesses such as flu, norovirus, and even tuberculosis.
Despite repeated warnings and discussions with authorities including COA (Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers) and GZA (Gezondheidszorg Asielzoekers), staff say little has improved. An anonymous doctor currently working on the ship stated that many patients continue to suffer from conditions directly linked to their living environment, underscoring the ongoing crisis.