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Refugee crisis: thousands arrive in Germany amid calls for action in Syria - as it happened Refugee crisis: thousands arrive in Germany amid calls for action in Syria - as it happened
(7 months later)
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At an E London collection centre for Calais refugees and migrants, a human chain has formed to sort donations https://t.co/9ddirC25DXAt an E London collection centre for Calais refugees and migrants, a human chain has formed to sort donations https://t.co/9ddirC25DX
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Writer Patrick Ness says Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials trilogy, has pledged £10,000 to his fundraising campaign for refugees.Writer Patrick Ness says Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials trilogy, has pledged £10,000 to his fundraising campaign for refugees.
Related: Patrick Ness leads fundraising drive to aid refugees
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Afternoon summaryAfternoon summary
Here’s a round up of the main events on Sunday as the migration crisis continues to unfold:Here’s a round up of the main events on Sunday as the migration crisis continues to unfold:
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Violent clashes between riot police and refugees in GreeceViolent clashes between riot police and refugees in Greece
Helena SmithHelena Smith
The situation has become increasingly explosive on Lesvos, Greece, one of the islands on the frontline of the crisis, as running battles escalate between riot police and refugees desperate to board boats for Athens, our correspondent Helena Smith reports.The situation has become increasingly explosive on Lesvos, Greece, one of the islands on the frontline of the crisis, as running battles escalate between riot police and refugees desperate to board boats for Athens, our correspondent Helena Smith reports.
Greece’s migration minister Ioannis Mouzalas has rushed to Lesvos after a second day of street fighting on the Aegean isle. Scenes of stone-pelting refugees engaged in hand-to-hand battle with local police has prompted the government to step up security with two extra units of riot police being dispatched to the island earlier today. Amid renewed violence local officials processing newcomers this morning locked themselves in a container as refugees, once again, vented their anger over delays in registration. On Saturday police resorted to using tear gas and stun grenades as around 500 Afghans attempted to seize and board a ferry heading to Athens. At least four were injured, one seriously.Greece’s migration minister Ioannis Mouzalas has rushed to Lesvos after a second day of street fighting on the Aegean isle. Scenes of stone-pelting refugees engaged in hand-to-hand battle with local police has prompted the government to step up security with two extra units of riot police being dispatched to the island earlier today. Amid renewed violence local officials processing newcomers this morning locked themselves in a container as refugees, once again, vented their anger over delays in registration. On Saturday police resorted to using tear gas and stun grenades as around 500 Afghans attempted to seize and board a ferry heading to Athens. At least four were injured, one seriously.
With an estimated 13,000 migrants and refugees on the island – and hundreds arriving every day – the local mayor, Spyros Galanos, described the situation as being “out of control.”With an estimated 13,000 migrants and refugees on the island – and hundreds arriving every day – the local mayor, Spyros Galanos, described the situation as being “out of control.”
“There is a danger that a spark could trigger a big fire,” he said in a television interview adding that “a state of emergency” should be called on the island. “I have tabled proposals, I even called on mayors in Turkey and Europe and tabled proposals, but no one is listening.”“There is a danger that a spark could trigger a big fire,” he said in a television interview adding that “a state of emergency” should be called on the island. “I have tabled proposals, I even called on mayors in Turkey and Europe and tabled proposals, but no one is listening.”
Galanos said he hoped the migration minister’s visit – which coincided with Athens’ caretaker government also sending in extra coast guard officials and other experts to expedite the processing of refugees - would de-escalate tensions. “We are expecting some commitments [from the government] so that we will see how we can handle the situation,” he told the news portal, newsit.gr.Galanos said he hoped the migration minister’s visit – which coincided with Athens’ caretaker government also sending in extra coast guard officials and other experts to expedite the processing of refugees - would de-escalate tensions. “We are expecting some commitments [from the government] so that we will see how we can handle the situation,” he told the news portal, newsit.gr.
Racheting up the pressure, the mayor took the unprecedented step of urging islanders to boycott upcoming general elections on 20 September. He said local authorities would refuse to set up ballot boxes at polling stations “if measures aren’t taken immediately to defuse the situation.”Racheting up the pressure, the mayor took the unprecedented step of urging islanders to boycott upcoming general elections on 20 September. He said local authorities would refuse to set up ballot boxes at polling stations “if measures aren’t taken immediately to defuse the situation.”
The country, facing its worst economic crisis in modern times, has announced it needs more than 1 billion euros to deal with the refugee crisis.The country, facing its worst economic crisis in modern times, has announced it needs more than 1 billion euros to deal with the refugee crisis.
In a good-will gesture Germany said over the weekend it would double humanitarian aid destined for Greece, dispatching an extra 2.4 million euros’ worth of relief through the Red Cross and UN agency for refugees, the UNHCR.In a good-will gesture Germany said over the weekend it would double humanitarian aid destined for Greece, dispatching an extra 2.4 million euros’ worth of relief through the Red Cross and UN agency for refugees, the UNHCR.
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Emma Graham-HarrisonEmma Graham-Harrison
Germany is not asking how many people it can afford to shelter, but how it can make thousands of refugees feel safe at last, the mayor of Munich said as the town prepared to register thousands of new arrivals on Sunday, Emma Graham-Harrison reports.Germany is not asking how many people it can afford to shelter, but how it can make thousands of refugees feel safe at last, the mayor of Munich said as the town prepared to register thousands of new arrivals on Sunday, Emma Graham-Harrison reports.
The city expects to receive around 10,000 people over this one weekend alone. The new arrivals were greeted by cheering crowds handing out toys and chocolate as they filed off trains and into tents for basic medical checks.The city expects to receive around 10,000 people over this one weekend alone. The new arrivals were greeted by cheering crowds handing out toys and chocolate as they filed off trains and into tents for basic medical checks.
They are then bussed away to conference centres, school halls and other large spaces that have been pressed into service as temporary housing centres, part of a complex system for handling the flood of migrants that was set up almost overnight.They are then bussed away to conference centres, school halls and other large spaces that have been pressed into service as temporary housing centres, part of a complex system for handling the flood of migrants that was set up almost overnight.
Mayor Dieter Reiter said his own city had surprised him by how effectively it had responded to the crisis, and wasMayor Dieter Reiter said his own city had surprised him by how effectively it had responded to the crisis, and was
“Of course there are some limits responding given the space we have in Munich but that is not the question I am asking myself,” Reiter told journalists after a news conference.“Of course there are some limits responding given the space we have in Munich but that is not the question I am asking myself,” Reiter told journalists after a news conference.
“Every day I am asking myself how can we accommodate these people, these refugees, how can we give them a feeling that they are safe here in Munich, here in Germany. I am not really thinking about how many people can we afford and can we take here in Munich. That is not the question.”“Every day I am asking myself how can we accommodate these people, these refugees, how can we give them a feeling that they are safe here in Munich, here in Germany. I am not really thinking about how many people can we afford and can we take here in Munich. That is not the question.”
On Saturday 6,780 people arrived in Munich on trains, many of them from the large group that had set off to walk from Budapest to Austria after days stranded at a train station in the Hungarian capital. After a long day’s march, most were picked up by busses and taken to the border, but many arrived exhausted and sick.On Saturday 6,780 people arrived in Munich on trains, many of them from the large group that had set off to walk from Budapest to Austria after days stranded at a train station in the Hungarian capital. After a long day’s march, most were picked up by busses and taken to the border, but many arrived exhausted and sick.
Perhaps the most critical new arrival was a baby born prematurely on the concourse at Keleti station, on Tuesday,” said Stephanie Jacobs, health minister in the local government.Perhaps the most critical new arrival was a baby born prematurely on the concourse at Keleti station, on Tuesday,” said Stephanie Jacobs, health minister in the local government.
She arrived with her umbilical cord still attached, and needed urgent medical care. “She is now in an incubator, and doing well given the circumstances,” Jacobs said.She arrived with her umbilical cord still attached, and needed urgent medical care. “She is now in an incubator, and doing well given the circumstances,” Jacobs said.
Baby born in Keleti was premature, arrived in Munich seriously ill and with umbilical cord still attached. Doing better in incubator hereBaby born in Keleti was premature, arrived in Munich seriously ill and with umbilical cord still attached. Doing better in incubator here
The city is expecting another 4,000 to arrive on Sunday. The first 1,200 came in the early hours of the morning, but their trains were diverted straight away to other German cities, including Frankfurt, to ease the pressure on Munich.The city is expecting another 4,000 to arrive on Sunday. The first 1,200 came in the early hours of the morning, but their trains were diverted straight away to other German cities, including Frankfurt, to ease the pressure on Munich.
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Men, women and children who have recently crossed the border into Hungary from Serbia are escorted to a new transit camp near the town of Röszke on Sunday.Men, women and children who have recently crossed the border into Hungary from Serbia are escorted to a new transit camp near the town of Röszke on Sunday.
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Regional newspapers and websites are reporting on the activities and actions of people supporting refugees across the country.Regional newspapers and websites are reporting on the activities and actions of people supporting refugees across the country.
A demonstration against the Government’s stance on refugees in Oxford is expected to attract more than 1,500 people, the Oxford Mail reports. The Refugees Welcome protest outside the Sheldonian Theatre from 3pm will see Oxford residents call on the Government take greater humanitarian responsibility for the crisis.A demonstration against the Government’s stance on refugees in Oxford is expected to attract more than 1,500 people, the Oxford Mail reports. The Refugees Welcome protest outside the Sheldonian Theatre from 3pm will see Oxford residents call on the Government take greater humanitarian responsibility for the crisis.
More than 1,500 people are expected at the refugee protest in Oxford later today @AsylumWelcome http://t.co/kwmpUup4AIMore than 1,500 people are expected at the refugee protest in Oxford later today @AsylumWelcome http://t.co/kwmpUup4AI
A similar event took place in Cambridge on Saturday as hundreds took to the streets to offer support, the Cambridge News says. An estimated 300 people joined the demo on Market Square, which started at King’s Parade and marched up to the steps of the Guildhall.A similar event took place in Cambridge on Saturday as hundreds took to the streets to offer support, the Cambridge News says. An estimated 300 people joined the demo on Market Square, which started at King’s Parade and marched up to the steps of the Guildhall.
Hundreds took to the streets as Cambridge responded to the refugee crisis http://t.co/Tsz0Mi0kcl pic.twitter.com/9ffCH0TRcCHundreds took to the streets as Cambridge responded to the refugee crisis http://t.co/Tsz0Mi0kcl pic.twitter.com/9ffCH0TRcC
In Cornwall, the Cornish Guardian reports that the Bishop of Truro has added his voice to calls for Britain to do more to help people fleeing war-torn Syria. The Rt Rev Tim Thornton said he thought Britain had been “caught on the back foot” but that public opinion was now leading policy development, after Prime Minister David Cameron promised the UK would take “thousands” of refugees.In Cornwall, the Cornish Guardian reports that the Bishop of Truro has added his voice to calls for Britain to do more to help people fleeing war-torn Syria. The Rt Rev Tim Thornton said he thought Britain had been “caught on the back foot” but that public opinion was now leading policy development, after Prime Minister David Cameron promised the UK would take “thousands” of refugees.
Pray for Syrian refugees, says Bishop - Pray for Syrian refugees, says Bishop http://t.co/WQOw6jFVhePray for Syrian refugees, says Bishop - Pray for Syrian refugees, says Bishop http://t.co/WQOw6jFVhe
The Shropshire Star has a story about a mother who, moved by the harrowing photo of dead toddler Aylun Kurdi being pulled from the surf in Turkey, launched an appeal to buy life jackets for refugees. Joanna Seabright, from Radbrook Green, Shrewsbury, set up a crowd-funding page and hopes to raise thousands of pounds to buy life jackets for those who are making the dangerous journey.The Shropshire Star has a story about a mother who, moved by the harrowing photo of dead toddler Aylun Kurdi being pulled from the surf in Turkey, launched an appeal to buy life jackets for refugees. Joanna Seabright, from Radbrook Green, Shrewsbury, set up a crowd-funding page and hopes to raise thousands of pounds to buy life jackets for those who are making the dangerous journey.
This mum was so moved by the recent image of a drowning toddler she 'had to do something' http://t.co/d9CQKMi4YV pic.twitter.com/8GGxXjfkHGThis mum was so moved by the recent image of a drowning toddler she 'had to do something' http://t.co/d9CQKMi4YV pic.twitter.com/8GGxXjfkHG
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Musician and campaigner Bob Geldof pledges to accept four refugee families into his Kent and London homes ‘until they can get a purchase on the future’.Musician and campaigner Bob Geldof pledges to accept four refugee families into his Kent and London homes ‘until they can get a purchase on the future’.
1.57pm BST1.57pm BST
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Nicholas WattNicholas Watt
Chief political correspondent Nicholas Watt has looked at suggestions Nicola Sturgeon and Yvette Cooper have indicated that they would be prepared to house Syrian refugees. He writes:Chief political correspondent Nicholas Watt has looked at suggestions Nicola Sturgeon and Yvette Cooper have indicated that they would be prepared to house Syrian refugees. He writes:
Sturgeon told the Murnaghan Programme on Sky News that she would be “absolutely happy” to take a refugee from Syria. This raised the prospect that a refugee could be housed in Bute House, the 18th-century Edinburgh townhouse that serves as the official residence of the Scottish first minister.Sturgeon told the Murnaghan Programme on Sky News that she would be “absolutely happy” to take a refugee from Syria. This raised the prospect that a refugee could be housed in Bute House, the 18th-century Edinburgh townhouse that serves as the official residence of the Scottish first minister.
Cooper also told Sky News she and her husband, Ed Balls, would be prepared to accept a refugee.Cooper also told Sky News she and her husband, Ed Balls, would be prepared to accept a refugee.
Related: Nicola Sturgeon and Yvette Cooper offer to house Syrian refugees
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Sam JonesSam Jones
Guardian reporter Sam Jones has taken a look at how the UK will pay for refugees government it has pledged to take.Guardian reporter Sam Jones has taken a look at how the UK will pay for refugees government it has pledged to take.
Related: How will UK pay for refugees government has pledged to take?
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More than 2,000 Britons offer to house refugeesMore than 2,000 Britons offer to house refugees
More than 2,000 people have offered to house refugees in their own homes as ordinary Britons lead the way in responding to the refugee crisis, the Press Association reports.More than 2,000 people have offered to house refugees in their own homes as ordinary Britons lead the way in responding to the refugee crisis, the Press Association reports.
Zoe Fritz, who has set up an online database of people willing to give a bed to those fleeing conflict and persecution, said she has been moved to tears by the flood of responses.Zoe Fritz, who has set up an online database of people willing to give a bed to those fleeing conflict and persecution, said she has been moved to tears by the flood of responses.
Dr Fritz, 39, who works as a consultant at Cambridge University Hospital, said she set up the initiative after seeing shocking images of the wave of refugees risking their lives to come to Europe.Dr Fritz, 39, who works as a consultant at Cambridge University Hospital, said she set up the initiative after seeing shocking images of the wave of refugees risking their lives to come to Europe.
My heart has sung at the things people have written. It has been extraordinary the generosity people have had.My heart has sung at the things people have written. It has been extraordinary the generosity people have had.
From people who clearly have the space to people who have said ‘I don’t have much but I have more than a tent on a beach somewhere’.From people who clearly have the space to people who have said ‘I don’t have much but I have more than a tent on a beach somewhere’.
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The chair of the European Parliament lead committee on migration and refugees in Europe, Claude Moraes MEP, says it is highly unlikely refugees will be able to come to Britain within a reasonable time scale.The chair of the European Parliament lead committee on migration and refugees in Europe, Claude Moraes MEP, says it is highly unlikely refugees will be able to come to Britain within a reasonable time scale.
Moraes, the Labour MEP for London and former director of the Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants, says schemes for allowing Syrians into the UK have the “highest level of bureaucracy and proven long time scales”.Moraes, the Labour MEP for London and former director of the Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants, says schemes for allowing Syrians into the UK have the “highest level of bureaucracy and proven long time scales”.
It is likely that the UK in choosing to opt for UN ‘gateway style schemes’ and increased aid directly to refugee camps is signalling a critical move away from coordinated EU action. This is a significant blow to the EU’s ability to significantly upgrade and manage a credible policy in the coming week which will not only manage the crisis currently within Europe, and on Europe’s borders, but also anticipating the high numbers who will continue coming to the EU over the coming months.It is likely that the UK in choosing to opt for UN ‘gateway style schemes’ and increased aid directly to refugee camps is signalling a critical move away from coordinated EU action. This is a significant blow to the EU’s ability to significantly upgrade and manage a credible policy in the coming week which will not only manage the crisis currently within Europe, and on Europe’s borders, but also anticipating the high numbers who will continue coming to the EU over the coming months.
It is a misunderstanding of the nature of asylum to believe that cherry picking a modest number of asylum seekers from refugee camps while opting out of coordinated actions will help the long term solution to the refugee crisis.It is a misunderstanding of the nature of asylum to believe that cherry picking a modest number of asylum seekers from refugee camps while opting out of coordinated actions will help the long term solution to the refugee crisis.
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Our migration correspondent Patrick Kingsley continues to provide unique insight into the picture at the Hungary-Serbia border.Our migration correspondent Patrick Kingsley continues to provide unique insight into the picture at the Hungary-Serbia border.
1km from the fence is a gas station where you find 5 men with paunches. Every 10 mins a group of Syrians turns up.1km from the fence is a gas station where you find 5 men with paunches. Every 10 mins a group of Syrians turns up.
They haggle over price. €200 each, or €1000 per car if they can squeeze in a few kids. 5 minutes later, the Toyota speeds off to BudapestThey haggle over price. €200 each, or €1000 per car if they can squeeze in a few kids. 5 minutes later, the Toyota speeds off to Budapest
This is happening several times an hour in an area teeming with police.This is happening several times an hour in an area teeming with police.
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Lisa O'CarrollLisa O'Carroll
People said they came “just to help” fill the gap between the refugee crisis and government inaction as donations of blankets, boots, food and tents piled up on a street in east London.People said they came “just to help” fill the gap between the refugee crisis and government inaction as donations of blankets, boots, food and tents piled up on a street in east London.
More than 100 volunteers turned up to form a human chain to sort and collate goods dropped into a warehouse in Kingsland Road, Hackney following an appeal by grassroots refugee charity CalAid.More than 100 volunteers turned up to form a human chain to sort and collate goods dropped into a warehouse in Kingsland Road, Hackney following an appeal by grassroots refugee charity CalAid.
Asked why she came along, school administrator Elsie Inglis said: “Because I’m disgusted by the government’s behaviour.”Asked why she came along, school administrator Elsie Inglis said: “Because I’m disgusted by the government’s behaviour.”
"I am disgusted by the government's behaviour" says volunteer Elsie Inglis at CalAid Dalston. pic.twitter.com/LZa0fAPPcP"I am disgusted by the government's behaviour" says volunteer Elsie Inglis at CalAid Dalston. pic.twitter.com/LZa0fAPPcP
Hilary Waterfield who arrived just after 11am with £400 worth of boots, socks and walking boots said: “I couldn’t repeat what I have been thinking about the Tories. I just can’t believe the Tories these past few days, but in a way it’s been wonderful too because of the response of the people to the crisis.”Hilary Waterfield who arrived just after 11am with £400 worth of boots, socks and walking boots said: “I couldn’t repeat what I have been thinking about the Tories. I just can’t believe the Tories these past few days, but in a way it’s been wonderful too because of the response of the people to the crisis.”
Similar collections have been taking place all over the country, but CalAid organiser James Fisher warned the British public not to drive to Calais following disturbances on Saturday and Friday when Belgian aid trucks showed up at the camps.Similar collections have been taking place all over the country, but CalAid organiser James Fisher warned the British public not to drive to Calais following disturbances on Saturday and Friday when Belgian aid trucks showed up at the camps.
CalAid organiser James Fisher says the excess donations will be taken beyond Calais to Kos etc pic.twitter.com/anhpThkK8aCalAid organiser James Fisher says the excess donations will be taken beyond Calais to Kos etc pic.twitter.com/anhpThkK8a
“We want to channel everything through a system. What is not needed in Calais we will get to places like Kos,” he said.“We want to channel everything through a system. What is not needed in Calais we will get to places like Kos,” he said.
“We have been here since 8am and the most extraordinary sight is the human chain from the street up to here. It is like a well-oiled machine and these people met each other two hours ago,” said Fisher.“We have been here since 8am and the most extraordinary sight is the human chain from the street up to here. It is like a well-oiled machine and these people met each other two hours ago,” said Fisher.
Not even 12pm and donations to CalAid filling the street . Another five hours to go ... pic.twitter.com/pauacg4GGjNot even 12pm and donations to CalAid filling the street . Another five hours to go ... pic.twitter.com/pauacg4GGj
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Nearly 8,000 people arrived in Munich on refugee trains in one dayNearly 8,000 people arrived in Munich on refugee trains in one day
Emma Graham-HarrisonEmma Graham-Harrison
My colleague Emma Graham-Harrison is at a press conference in Munich on the impact of the refugee crisis.My colleague Emma Graham-Harrison is at a press conference in Munich on the impact of the refugee crisis.
Munich received nearly 8,000 people on refugee trains yesterday, expects around 4,500 more todayMunich received nearly 8,000 people on refugee trains yesterday, expects around 4,500 more today
Those numbers are only for Munich, hundreds more sent to other places around Bavaria. Scale of arrivals hard to comprehendThose numbers are only for Munich, hundreds more sent to other places around Bavaria. Scale of arrivals hard to comprehend
Munich mayor says city not worrying about capacity to process arrivals. "A week ago I would have said couldn't handle these numbers"Munich mayor says city not worrying about capacity to process arrivals. "A week ago I would have said couldn't handle these numbers"
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Hundreds of people make the long walk from Budapest in Hungary to the Austrian border on Saturday, flanked by local police and chanting ‘we want buses’.Hundreds of people make the long walk from Budapest in Hungary to the Austrian border on Saturday, flanked by local police and chanting ‘we want buses’.