Dresden closes asylum accommodation – responsible for decline in refugee numbers

Dresden closes asylum accommodation – responsible for decline in refugee numbers

The city of Dresden has taken a significant step in the management of its asylum accommodation. The last container-based asylum accommodations will be closed by the end of the year. How diesachsen.de reported, the reason for this measure is the significant decline in the number of refugees in the region. It is expected that around 1,300 asylum seekers will have to be accommodated this year, which is at the same level as last year.

This closure has a concrete impact on several parts of the city: The six container accommodations are located in Gorbitz, Strehlen, Trachau, Seidnitz, Johannstadt and Niedersedlitz. At the same time, the city of Leipzig is planning to set up new shared accommodation. In Sellerhausen-Stünz, a residential building is being rented for ten years and will offer space for 21 people. At the end of March, around 500 people were still living in various emergency shelters in Leipzig, including tents and an exhibition hall.

Types of accommodation for asylum seekers in Germany

The situation in Dresden is reflected in the general asylum accommodation situation in Germany. On asylumineurope.org explains that there are three main types of accommodation for asylum seekers: initial reception centres, shared accommodation and decentralized accommodation. Especially since 2022, emergency shelters have become more important again, especially in larger cities, due to increasing numbers of refugees, for example from Afghanistan and Ukraine.

The questions of accommodation are central to politics. Over 45% of German municipalities already rely on emergency accommodation. In Berlin, for example, the former Tegel Airport will continue to be used as such accommodation until 2024. Despite the accommodation challenges, funding for asylum accommodation has increased in recent years, with increased amounts available to communities to support them.

The refugee situation in Germany

Historically, there are rights in Germany that are anchored in the constitution and are only available to foreigners. Loud statista.com Politically persecuted persons enjoy asylum in accordance with Article 16a of the Basic Law. The right to asylum is the only fundamental right for foreigners. In 2023, the number of asylum applications increased to approximately 352,000, marking the highest level since 2016. The most important country of origin remains Syria, and many of the asylum seekers are young male Muslims.

Looking back further, the statistics show that almost 240,000 asylum procedures were pending at the end of 2023. Interestingly, over half of the decisions resulted in protected status, while at the same time there was a significant increase in deportations. Refugee and asylum policy within the EU continues to cause tensions, particularly between the member states in the west and east. But despite the challenges, we continue to work on solutions to do justice to those seeking protection.