The arrival center on Oranienburger Strasse is the first stop for war refugees from Ukraine. Around three dozen arrived in Reinickendorf on Sunday, fleeing Putin’s war.
“We had to leave our men behind at the border,” report two mothers with their children. “It took us 30 hours by bus to get to Berlin, only God knows what will become of the men!”
In addition to mothers and children, many older people are also fleeing. The BZ reporter looks into the eyes of a lady in a headscarf in front of the arrival center. Her face is wet with tears, she would never have dreamed of having to leave her country at her age, her granddaughter translates. All eyes are bewildered.
“And anyone who’s still smiling here is crying inside,” says Volodymyr (28), who fled the city of Rivne from Putin’s bombs with his wife Anastasia (20). Two suitcases, two bags and the soul full of fear – that’s all her luggage.
In the morning, district mayor Uwe Brockhausen (58, SPD) visited the arrival center and got an idea of the site with manager Alexander Djacenko. “We have to see how the situation develops and we will do everything we can to help people.”
At the moment, many are staying with acquaintances or relatives, so they only stay in Reinickendorf for a short time. You will be advised whether an asylum procedure is necessary or whether a residence permit is sufficient. In addition, they receive medical care and, of course, food.
“We currently have 1,300 places in Berlin, and 1,200 will be added in the next few weeks,” said Sascha Langenbach, spokesman for the State Office for Refugee Affairs.
Check out the Ukarine War LiveBlog archive here:
Thousands flock to anti-war demo in Berlin
“Economic nuclear bomb” – decision to exclude Russian banks from Swift
Street fighting and artillery fire shake Kiev – all about it in the live blog
Russian paratroopers near Kiev
100,000 fleeing in Ukraine, Chernobyl conquered
Putin ready for “high-level negotiations” with Ukraine
Sirens howl! The battle for Kiev rages!