july 2002
Praiseworthy Gesture.
Early on New Year’s morning (2001) a disastrous blaze in an overcrowded pub at Volendam made hundreds of victims,
all between the ages 15 and 25. Fourteen of them died.
This week the outgoing Dutch government agreed with an allotment of € 25.9 million (abt. US $ 25 million) in payment
of a non-recurrent allowance based on the seriousness of their handicap due to the fire (NRC/Handelsblad 4th July 2002).
The amount was recommended by the Commission Financial Settlement New Years Blaze Volendam. The basis for settling
the amount of the allowance is fixed on €150.000 (abt 148.000 US $) depending on the degree of invalidity of the victim.
In total 336 youngsters are classified as serious victims, of whom 63 very seriously crippled.
In order to fix the amount of the settlement the Commission distinguishes four other categories: victims, the next of
kin of victims, relief workers and others.
The allowance for victims amounts to max. € 20.000 and for the next of kin € 7.500. The settlement can be claimed until
1st January 2007.
The Financial Settlement Commission is of the opinion that the effects of the pub blaze on New Year’s Day 2001 at
Volendam will have a profound and lasting influence on the young victims and their families.
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A praiseworthy GESTURE of the Dutch government. And also praiseworthy is the speed with which the issue was settled.
The victims of the pub blaze in Volendam and their families are not forced to wait until they are 80
and over for recognition and compensation.
Lilian Sluijter
SVJ Support Group
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