Berlin makes room for the refugees

More than 800,000 Ukrainians are already on the run. 20,000 are expected in Berlin. And the people in our city open their hearts and their homes to them.

Whether it’s a flat share, a villa or a one-room apartment. Thousands of Berliners move closer together and offer their homes. On the largest bed platform accommodation-ukraine.de more than 9000 sleeping places are already registered.

March 1st, 2022, Berlin, Berliners show their accommodation for the refugees in their home Siegmund Grascha (32), Seestrasse © christian lohse (Photo: christian lohse)
March 1st, 2022, Berlin, Berliners show their accommodation for the refugees in their home Siegmund Grascha (32), Seestrasse © christian lohse (Photo: christian lohse)

On Wednesday, the founders of the platform, in consultation with the Senate, even called for people to come directly to Berlin Central Station: “It’s best to bring a large sign with you on which you write how many people you offer sleeping accommodation for.”

Swantje Rosenboom (60) from Zeuthen, head of refugee aid in the Dahme-Spreewald district:
Swantje Rosenboom (60) from Zeuthen, head of refugee aid in the Dahme-Spreewald district: “I offer a 30 square meter guest apartment in our house as accommodation, and I can also free up a children’s room if desired. The war is incredibly close to me. I can hardly stand the pictures on TV. My husband’s family comes from the greater Odessa area. Ukraine is the home of her childhood” (Photo: Olaf Selchow)

Sebastian Ahrendt (31), cameraman from Ahrensfelde:
Sebastian Ahrendt (31), cameraman from Ahrensfelde: “It tears me apart inside. I am a father of two young sons myself. When I see children in the war zone on the news, I cry. My wife and I provide the bedroom on the upper floor of our maisonette apartment and sleep on the couch in the living room. We want to give a family security and protection” (Photo: christian lohse)

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