Berlin authorities expect that the majority of Ukrainian refugees will not return home after the end of the conflict.
This was stated by Andreas Geisel, Senator for Urban Development in the Berlin State Government.
Why Ukrainians won’t return home
In an interview with a German news agency, the senator said that out of approximately 100 thousand Ukrainian refugees, over 80 thousand applied for long-term residence in Berlin.
Based on this, Geisel explained, it is quite possible to expect that most of them will remain in the German capital for years.
And will not return to his destroyed homeland, – stated the politician.
He cited the example of his colleague, who came to the capital of Germany from Bosnia in the 90s because of the war in Yugoslavia and was planning to return to his homeland in a few months.
Today he is German and works in the Senate administration, – said the senator.
In his opinion, the same thing will happen to thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
Geisel also said that there is a great need for new housing in the capital, and the situation in the real estate market is tense.
The current number of refugees further increases the need for it, – he noted.
According to the senator, construction is now underway on modular shelters for refugees, designed to last from 50 to 70 years.
There are currently 29 such shelters in Berlin, with 5 more planned to be built in 2023 and 2024.
