Another arrival center for Ukrainian refugees is being built at the former airport in Tegel. The former Mercure Hotel is currently being prepared for this purpose. This was announced on Tuesday by the Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (43, SPD).
by Stefan Peter and Michael Sauerbier
The center on Oranienburger Strasse (Reinickendorf) is bursting at the seams: over 13,000 refugees arrived in Berlin on Monday, and thousands more on Tuesday. “The situation is a big challenge for all of us,” said Giffey. “It is an absolutely exceptional situation. We assume that the high numbers will continue in the next few days.”
Giffey warns: “It is a national task that also requires federal solidarity. Berlin won’t be able to do it alone.” A “wish list” has just been sent to the federal government, e.g. for shower and toilet containers.
In order to create relaxation in the main station, a “Welcome Hall” will be opened on Washingtonplatz on Wednesday – a collection of heated tents and several containers.
There, the refugees are recorded, fed and, if necessary, given medical care. Then it’s on to private accommodation, the arrival center or other cities.
The new arrival center in the former airport hotel (186 rooms) is scheduled to open in the next few days. If there is not enough space there either, beds will be set up in the former airport terminal.
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Tuesday evening showed how much the topic of refugees moves Giffey privately. After the press conference, she spontaneously visited volunteers at the main station again without a large crowd. She thanked them for their support and spoke to two young women from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, things are also getting tight in Brandenburg’s facilities. The number of Ukraine refugees in homes in Frankfurt (Oder), Doberlug-Kirchhain and Eisenhüttenstadt continues to rise. “Together with the refugees from other countries, 2,700 of our 3,500 places are now occupied,” said the head of the Central Immigration Office, Olaf Jansen (62), to the BZ. “We are in the process of renting more accommodation.”