Refugee crisis: Germany scrambles to find space for asylum seekers

World Today

Europe’s refugee crisis was exposing deepening divisions inside Germany’s government. This weekend, talks on the issue ended without agreement, even as the United Nations warned record numbers of people were continuing to cross into Europe. Regional governments were scrambling to find whatever space they could, including a Nazi-era airport.

This weekend, Templehof Airport opened its hangers to hundreds of new arrivals, many came from Hamburg, unhappy with their accommodation there. In total, 2300 were expected here.

Templehof Airport has witnessed its fair share of history during the World War II. Now this vast and iconic structure is part of another chapter: Europe’s refugee crisis.

City officials said they had few options. “We’ve already created 28 emergency shelters and this is the 90th center we’ve set up,” said Mario Czaja, a Berlin senator for Housing and Social Welfare.

The United Nations said refugees and migrants were arriving in record numbers. Some politicians now wanted transit zones set-up at the borders for all asylum-seekers, while others said that’s inhumane.

Analysts said there were plenty of money available for such measures, despite perceptions to the contrary.

CCTV’s Guy Henderson reports from Berlin.

Follow Guy Henderson on Twitter @guyhendersonde