Senate expects 6000 Ukrainian refugees in one day

A man holding Ukrainian passports in front of the arrival center Reinickendorf

According to the Senate Chancellery, thousands of people from Ukraine have already arrived in Berlin since the Russian attack began a week ago.

In recent days, about two-thirds of the refugees had gone to relatives and friends and one-third had been provided for and accommodated by the state of Berlin, the Senate Chancellery told the German Press Agency (dpa). On Thursday (March 03, 2022), more than 2600 people had arrived at Berlin Central Station and the Central BusStation (ZOB) by noon. "Until the evening, we expect a total of 6000 people to arrive in Berlin today."

"Strong upward trend"

Franziska Giffey (SPD), the Governing Mayor of Berlin, stressed the amount of help being offered by the state and by many volunteers. "We can say so far that everyone who arrived here and needed a bed also got one. This was possible thanks to the enormous willingness of Berliners to help, many of whom have welcomed people into their homes." Giffey added that the Senate was continuing to work on providing additional accommodation offered by the state, such as by cooperating with hostels. According to the Senate Chancellery, 350 people were accommodated by the state of Berlin in shelters on Monday, 1400 on Tuesday, and 1700 on Wednesday, some of them also in Brandenburg and other federal states. "There is a strong upward trend."

Shuttle Buses from Berlin Central Station to Arrival Centers

Shuttle buses are available at Berlin Central Station for the journey to the state's accommodation in the so-called Arrival Centers. Refugees in need of medical assistance can receive care by paramedics contracted by the state of Berlin. "Two employees of the State Office for Refugees are at the train station and, together with the many volunteers, are informing arriving people about the further procedure and possibilities for accommodation," the Senate Chancellery added. The employees of the Senate Department for Integration, Labor and Social Services organized the urgently needed accommodations, secured medical care as well as food and logistics.