Berlin processing asylum seekers with difficulty

Central Berlin has been transformed by a crush of asylum seekers since the start of August, in a heatwave. Berlin expects 45,000 asylum arrivals by the end of this year, according to local mayor Christian Hanke.

They gather at the LAGeSo regional social health administration headquarters, about 100 metres from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office.

Most of them do not speak German or English. Lodged somewhere temporarily, they come day after day to see about their case.

NGOs such as Moabit hilft and the charity Caritas are present, with volunteers and donations from the public also helping.

A woman who has converted to Islam told us: “I am in the children’s corner where I can help best, because I work at a nursery school. We go around and tell parents this is here. Mothers leave their kids or some parents stay with their children.”

Volunteer doctor Dinah Laubisch, on her holidays, said she comes here every day, and that other colleagues come after work or have taken days off