Local authorities in Germany are seeing some relief from the declining number of refugees. “It certainly helps that the number of asylum applications has declined in recent months,” said Christian Schuchardt (CDU), chief executive of the German Association of Cities, to the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper (Thursday edition). As a result, emergency shelters such as tents have already been dismantled in some cities.
“The decline in asylum applications, which has been evident for several months now, is giving local authorities some breathing space,” said André Berghegger, chief executive of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB), which represents mainly medium-sized and smaller local authorities. “The decline in numbers means that the burden is not increasing further; we are seeing an easing in the reception and accommodation of newly arriving refugees.”
However, the cities and municipalities are not giving the all-clear. “The situation on the ground remains tense,” said Schuchardt. “The cities must continue to care for the people who are already here. School places, daycare places, and housing remain scarce. The immigration authorities are also reaching their capacity limits.”
The cities therefore urgently need “more financial support for the many integration tasks we have to perform locally,” the chief executive of the German Association of Cities continued. In addition, the repatriation of asylum seekers who are required to leave the country and have no prospect of staying must “work better and faster.”
“However, there is still no sign of relief, as a large number of people have come to Germany in the last three and a half years who still need to be housed, cared for, and integrated,” said DStGB Managing Director Berghegger. “Now the focus must shift to the integration of people with the right to stay.”
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