The scene at the Pik As yesterday was intense and unbecoming of security personals, that as a reporter I was closed to being harmed getting the news out.
At the heart of the matter was the problem of homeless immigrants who has no place for shelter. According to the report over 80 African migrants who had lived around some EU states where the financial crises is hard hit were being accommodated by Behorde for Arbert, Soziales, Familie und Integration (BASFI), care Pik As and Herz As, on what look a like humanitarian gesture.
The program however escalated with the intake currently exceeding 400 against the original capacity of the place, which for sometime has become worrisome to the authorities, who appear frustrated on what to do with the flocks. Usually they are given lunch at Herz As and Sleeps at Pik As with occasional supper as the case maybe.
Then came the heart rending news that the BASFI has decided to withdraw their support totally, thereby leaving the concerned immigrants to their faith.
The Herz AS at Schnachenburgersalle and Repsoldstraße are already closed, and unfortunately Pik As is closing its doors to the Africans on Thursday, the 18th of April 2013.
The situation yesterday was pathetic and confusing, the crowd was heavy heart laden with security officers at maximum alert. Many of those affected were seen begging and pleading to be allowed space to sleep, even only for one night.
On this note, the cases of the authorities and that of the stranded is quite understandable hence the former is seen as a moral obligation. For some time now Germany has being shouldering the brunt of EU financial crises, taking the largest number of displaced migrants.
Foolhardy to forget that majority of the so called homeless are already in possession of EU Schengen visas hence any effort to deport them would be a waste of resources and time as they will make back quick. Equally them refusing needed help definitely will force them into social miscreants.
According to Sylvaina Gerlich, founder of Imic and member of the Hamburg Integration Council, the issues have gotten worst and therefore needs European approach in designing a long term solution.
Disturbing is the very fact that majority of those trapped in this mess are people from third world countries of Africa mainly Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Togo, Benin, Guinea Bissau, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
In conclusion, we are appealing to the concerned authorities, particularly Senator Detlef Scheele to have mercy while extending our information to African community leaders to reach out to their various Embassies for intervention. This is moral unlike diplomatic obligation.
God Bless Germany! God Bless Africa
Desmond John Beddy
The Homeless African Migrants in Hamburg
