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Migrant crisis: Germany to release funds to help regions cope Migrant crisis: Germany to release funds to help regions cope
(about 2 hours later)
Germany's coalition government has agreed to spend 6bn euros (£4.4bn) to support record numbers of migrants and other measures to deal with the influx. Germany's coalition government has agreed to spend €6bn (£4.4bn) to support record numbers of migrants and other measures to deal with the influx.
Critics at home have accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of creating a dangerous precedent by opening Germany's borders.Critics at home have accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of creating a dangerous precedent by opening Germany's borders.
About 18,000 migrants arrived over the weekend after an agreement with Austria and Hungary to relax asylum rules.About 18,000 migrants arrived over the weekend after an agreement with Austria and Hungary to relax asylum rules.
But Austria's Chancellor Werner Faymann has said the emergency measures must come to an end.But Austria's Chancellor Werner Faymann has said the emergency measures must come to an end.
He said they would move step by step "towards normality", after speaking to Chancellor Merkel and the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Sunday.He said they would move step by step "towards normality", after speaking to Chancellor Merkel and the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Sunday.
Hungary had previously blocked migrants travelling to Western Europe, but dropped restrictions on Friday and shuttled people to the Austrian border.Hungary had previously blocked migrants travelling to Western Europe, but dropped restrictions on Friday and shuttled people to the Austrian border.
At Hungary's border with Serbia construction work continues on the border fence, as people continue to stream across the border, unchallenged by police, the BBC's James Shaw reports. The flow shows no sign of easing, with crowds still streaming across Hungary's border with Serbia. Officials in Germany say thousands more migrants are expected to arrive later.
Meanwhile migrants are continuing to arrive at Munich station. 'Migrants want German life'
Speaking on Monday, Mr Orban said "as long as we can't defend Europe's outer borders, it is not worth talking about how many people we can take in".
Mr Orban said those migrants trying to reaching Germany were seeking a "German life" not physical safety, adding that if the stream continued it would endanger Europe's "Christian welfare states".
Germany's announcement of extra funds came after talks on Sunday night between the two parties which make up Chancellor Merkel's coalition.Germany's announcement of extra funds came after talks on Sunday night between the two parties which make up Chancellor Merkel's coalition.
The government has agreed to give €3bn ($3.3bn; £2.2bn) to the federal states and local councils, with a further €3bn to fund federal programmes such as benefit payments.The government has agreed to give €3bn ($3.3bn; £2.2bn) to the federal states and local councils, with a further €3bn to fund federal programmes such as benefit payments.
Specific measures announced include:Specific measures announced include:
The agreement stressed the need for "solidarity" and "a fair distribution" of refugees between EU states.The agreement stressed the need for "solidarity" and "a fair distribution" of refugees between EU states.
What can the EU do?What can the EU do?
Key videoKey video
What is the UK doing to help?What is the UK doing to help?
Germany expects to receive 800,000 refugees and migrants this year, and wants to see the rest of Europe do more to help.Germany expects to receive 800,000 refugees and migrants this year, and wants to see the rest of Europe do more to help.
But while Mrs Merkel has become a hero to many migrants and their supporters, conservative allies said she sent a "totally wrong signal" by allowing in the intake from Hungary.But while Mrs Merkel has become a hero to many migrants and their supporters, conservative allies said she sent a "totally wrong signal" by allowing in the intake from Hungary.
The interior ministry said the decision was an exception to help avert a humanitarian crisis.The interior ministry said the decision was an exception to help avert a humanitarian crisis.
New arrivals in Germany were welcomed by smiling and cheering members of the public at train stations across the country.New arrivals in Germany were welcomed by smiling and cheering members of the public at train stations across the country.
However there were two fires overnight at accommodation centres for asylum seekers according to German news agency DPA. However, there were two fires overnight at accommodation centres for asylum seekers.
Five people were hurt in a fire at a centre in Rottenburg in the south-western state of Baden-Wuerttemburg; it is not known what caused it. Three of those were injured trying to escape the building by jumping out of windows or climbing down. Five people were hurt in a fire at a centre in Rottenburg in the south-western state of Baden-Wuerttemburg; it is not known what caused it.
A second fire, at accommodation being renovated to house asylum seekers in Ebeleben in the central state of Thuringia, was caused by "politically motivated arson", police believe. A second fire, at accommodation being renovated to house asylum seekers in Ebeleben in the central state of Thuringia, was caused by "politically motivated arson", police said.
Both states have seen a spate of arson attacks on asylum seekers' accommodation in recent weeks.Both states have seen a spate of arson attacks on asylum seekers' accommodation in recent weeks.
On Sunday, a group of cars driven by German and Austrian activists travelled to the Hungarian border to pick up migrants and distribute food.
The migrants had travelled north through the Balkans - Greece, Macedonia and Serbia - before arriving at Hungary's southern border, and on to Austria and Germany.
Syrians are the largest group travelling, followed by Afghans and Eritreans.Syrians are the largest group travelling, followed by Afghans and Eritreans.
A rift has developed within the EU over how to deal with the crisis.A rift has developed within the EU over how to deal with the crisis.
Hungary has accused Germany of encouraging the influx, and is pressing ahead with plans to tighten border controls and could send troops to its southern frontier if parliament agrees.Hungary has accused Germany of encouraging the influx, and is pressing ahead with plans to tighten border controls and could send troops to its southern frontier if parliament agrees.
It has opened a new reception camp for migrants in southern border village of Roszke, and is due to finish its border fence this month. It has opened a new reception camp for migrants in the southern border village of Roszke, and is due to finish its border fence this month.
The UN's Refugee Chief Antonio Guterres said the crisis was "manageable" if member states could agree a joint plan. UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres said the crisis was "manageable" if member states could agree a joint plan.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.
Are you among those trying to reach Austria and Germany? Have you been involved in these events? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.Are you among those trying to reach Austria and Germany? Have you been involved in these events? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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