A typical day in the life of a Berlin refugee

Children in Berlin 8.11.Over the last few weeks, I've done a lot of background work, started the Facebook group "Volunteer Translators", organised materials and donations and supported individual people. Yesterday was my first visit to our central registration and benefits centre for refugees, the State Office for Health and Social Affairs, LaGeSo for short.
I saw many things with my own eyes that I only knew from media reports - countless people sleeping on the streets, huge crowds desperately trying to get a coveted seat on the bus that leads to the emergency shelter, etc.

Typical daily routine of a Berlin refugee:

  • Get up before 0.00.
Get ready. Trip to the LaGeSo
  • 0.00 - 4.00 Waiting
Waiting on the pavement in front of the LaGeSo - also with children /see picture.
  • 4.00 Admission
Those waiting are allowed onto the site. Lots of crowds because everyone is desperate to get in. There are injuries practically every day. 
  • 4.00 - 20.00 Waiting
Waiting in the grounds with several hundred others in the hope of getting your turn today. If you're lucky, you get your turn in one day. Refugees say there are only thirty of them per day. I think that's a bit of an understatement, but it's clear that it usually takes 7 days and nights or even 14. Then you might have a 14-day break before you have to queue again for a stamp, a permit or a place to stay overnight. 
  • 20.00 - 24.00 Sleep
Travel "home" to the hostel or emergency accommodation. If that is too far away, you stay at the LaGeSo.
 
Yesterday, a refugee whose arm was recently broken during a rush to the LaGeSo told me: "I can't believe this is Germany." I can hardly believe it either."
 
How is integration, learning German, arriving in this city supposed to succeed?
Ideas for change
I realise that it is a heavy workload for the employees of the authorities. And I have great respect for the employees who do their work day after day under great time and emotional strain. 
 
Nevertheless, I see a number of ideas and opportunities to improve the situation:12189019_10206022048805240_3684194413684169467_n
- Some tasks of the LaGeSo to be decentralised and set up branch offices in the districts (mobile medical teams, extensions, etc.). Perhaps set up "Refugee Centres" along the lines of the Job Centres.
- The Berlin Senate has long since decided to Health card for refugees, so that refugees do not have to obtain authorisation for cost coverage with every prescription - and as in one case (man with heart disease) - have to queue for seven days and nights.
- Stop GEZ: Do not send refugees requests to pay licence fees (no joke, this works smoothly as soon as they have an address! / picture)
- Set up pick-up pointswhere people who only need to collect processed papers can go instead of queuing in the huge queue
- Longer authorisation period: Authorisation for hostels to extend emergency accommodation to the statutory maximum period so that people don't have to queue every few weeks, but less often
- Use the Internet: There is Skype, email, scanners, apps. Not all administrative processes have to be carried out live on site. This is the 21st century after all. It would be brilliant if Berlin, as an innovative, modern city, were to develop models for streamlined, virtual administration. Many programmers would be happy to make a contribution - possibly even for free for the refugees.
- Hostels pay faster: Many hostels refuse to accept refugees because it takes months for them to receive the money from the Senate. Independent, smaller hotel operators simply cannot afford this financially.
- Electronic queue management (as far as I know, this has already been created by programmers, but rejected by the authorities).
- Open tents: The existing heated tents should also be opened at night for the people waiting, not just from 4.00 am. At least for the women, families and children. Better still for everyone. 
 
I hope that the first experience new Berliners have of our city is one of efficiency and warmth. That would be wonderful for the people and for our city.
How you can help
- Writes to the Senate the politicians in your district. You are welcome to use my description and suggestions. After all, the people they are responsible for are also waiting there
- Goes to LaGeSo one evening a week go alone or with your youth group or church or a few friends in the evening, with tea, biscuits, warm clothes and blankets and encourage and support the people waiting.
- Accommodation: If you know people or communities who live relatively close to the Lageso (Turmstrasse, Berlin Moabit): Ask them to provide a place to sleep from 20.00 - 24.00. Many refugees do not manage to travel from Turmstrasse to Spandau, Rudow, Lichtenberg etc. because they have to queue up again anyway. Place4Refugees are grateful to anyone who offers accommodation for one night or more. 
- Pray for more efficient structures, Light, love and life on all levels of the LaGeSo. 
Thanks for reading! And sympathising!

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2 Comments

  1. Hello Mandy, I will be happy to set up a standing order for 100 euros per month (for 3 months for the time being) to your account. This is a donation for the refugees. Winter is coming and people are suffering. Thank you very much for being such a great blessing on the ground. Kind regards,
    Cornelia Stadelmann from Switzerland

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