EUROPE-MIGRANTS/CAMPSITES Some migrants in Germany are being housed in tents on campsites

Record ID: 143138

  • Title: EUROPE-MIGRANTS/CAMPSITES Some migrants in Germany are being housed in tents on campsites
  • Date: 21st August 2015
  • Summary: EPPSTEIN, GERMANY (AUGUST 21, 2015) (REUTERS) VIEW FROM CAMPSITE TO EPPSTEIN CARAVANS FROM GERMAN PERMANENT CAMPERS GARDEN FENCE BETWEEN CARAVANS CARAVAN AND TENTS OF MIGRANTS DONATED BICYCLES SHOES AT ENTRANCE OF TENT MIGRANT FILLS WATER CAN MIGRANT WALKING BY CAMERA VARIOUS OF MIGRANTS CLEANING PLOT (SOUNDBITE) (English) MIGRANT SAID F., WHO DOES NOT WANT TO BE RECOGNISE
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA3W7MJMNARKJ6HG5G6ENT45J98
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: MIGRANT SAID F. INSISTED ON HAVING HIS FACE PIXELATED. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING UNPIXELATED VERSION
    As the number of asylum-seekers and refugees to Germany is set to quadruple to a record 800,000 this year compared to the previous year - twice as many as forecast in January - the government said last Wednesday (August 19) that Germany is looking for alternative ways to house people coming to the country.
    The owner of a campsite in the idyllic Taunus mountain range near Frankfurt, Joerg Steimer, had just the idea for that: he offered his 25 empty caravans to the authorities - and they gladly accepted.
    Some 80 refugees from Syria, Somalia or Afghanistan currently live at the campsite "Taunuscamp". They love the peace and tranquility of the forests and meadows of the Taunus that seem a world apart from the conflicts in their native countries.
    "I like it here. It's a very beautiful place," Said F. said, who wanted his identity concealed to protect his family in Somalia.
    "It has always many tourists. We live in here, in this caravan. I like it. You see this is a very beautiful environment."
    Fellow caravan resident, Mowtaz Derke from Syria, agreed: "I like this place. These people are very nice. And a beautiful place."
    The permanent residents of the campsite are also charmed by their new neighbours, even if communication was initially hindered by a language barrier.
    "They walk past (here) and say 'hello' and we called back," said Anna Krieg, one of the permanent residents of the campsite. "I don't know how much German they speak and how much they understand."
    But that will change soon, as most of the migrants are busy learning German at the moment.
    Steimer said that the acceptance of the new neighbours at the campsite is very high. People often come down and donate clothes and other items the migrants might need, from blankets to shoes to the odd bicycle.
    "I could erect three tents here in order to provide them with clothes. And we will do so in winter because they are necessary then, since we don't need that much in summer," he said.
    He said some 150 locals are involved, from teaching the language, soccer training or just organising fun events.
    Germany has become a magnet for refugees from Africa, Asia and the Middle East and has criticised European Union partners for not doing more.
    Migrant numbers across the EU have shot up in recent months. Many undertake dangerous sea voyages to reach southern Europe, then make their way across the continent in the hope of reaching wealthier nations like Germany.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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