blnymph
Posts: 1534
Joined: 11/13/2010
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recently published figures:
Refugees arriving in Germany in 2015: 1.1 million (more than 60 % Syrians, then Afghans, Iraqi)
number of refugees crossing the Slovenian-Austrian border, per day: 4 000
thanks MB  - to be honest, I keep posting here for many various reasons.
When this thread started in late Aug/Sep (in real life the figures of refugees arriving here began rising in June/Juli already) these things were all over the news almost world-wide. Right now almost nothing has changed but even in German language news those figures make not more than one- or two-line messages issued in noontime or afternoon tv news.
Politicians contribute not very much to solve the problems (apart from those on local and regional level) but keep on the lookout what might win the next elections, leaving the everyday work to handle the situation to volunteers. One could use this as a study on the ways politics and press do their jobs (or what they believe to be their job).
Some blame, some praise, Merkel for "opening" the border. Most forget there was no other option left when that happened. They were already here by the thousands, and thousands stranded at the various borders from Greece to Germany, and plainly visible that those refugees would come here any way even by walking on the motorway from Budapest to Vienna and Passau (hundreds did, remember?). There is no desert along any border to keep them away or making them disappear.
The refugees have neither disappeared, nor diminished in numbers. I can see some of them every day I go to town. I can see what they do, where they live, how they behave. I can compare what I can watch with my own eyes, and what is said about those people. I see rumours popping up, being spread, and occasionally, can check informations behind them.
The situations making them flee their home countries, or the big middle eastern refugee camps have not changed much at least until December. UNHCR is still underfunded because certain countries do not fulfil their obligations (to my knowledge Germany included). Then I listen to certain politicians making promises how they want to help those people in their home countries and keep waiting what happens ...
Germany and Austria had a lot of refugees in the past, many Germans from Eastern European countries, political refugees from Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia after 1968, the Soviet Union, from Yugoslavia after 1990; also workers from countries in Southern Europe after c1960, from Portugal to Turkey. Integrating these people is nothing that has yet to be invented, it worked, and works, not 100 % perfect but not so bad either. It takes time, and certain efforts, and funding. It takes patience on both sides involved, and friendly manners do no harm either. I am surprised in several ways about my compatriots, the supportive as well as the hostile ones. Both kinds exist (a bit like here on the forums). 
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RE: Heartbreaking -- Drowned Syrian Boy -- Whole Family... - 
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