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Refugees move to Gunzesried: protests against accommodation fail
A group of Ukrainian refugees move into a former holiday home in Oberallgäu. The move follows a state parliament resolution, despite concerns from residents.
Refugees move to Gunzesried: protests against accommodation fail
In the Upper Allgäu village of Gunzesried-Säge, which has just 79 inhabitants, a former holiday home will be converted into accommodation for up to 40 refugees. This decision was made in the Bavarian state parliament after a petition from concerned citizens from Blaichach, who wanted to prevent the refugees from moving in, failed. Today the first 14 people, all from three Ukrainian families, are moving in, as Oberallgäu district administrator Indra Baier-Müller confirmed. Everyone moving in is mobile and brings a car with them, as the accommodation is almost four kilometers away from Gunzesried and basic services, such as doctors and schools, are over eight kilometers away in Blaichach. [Fantasy.de].
The decision on Gunzesried comes at a critical time. The district has rented the holiday home since March 2023. The responsible petitions committee in the state parliament has spoken out in favor of accommodation, on the condition that the refugees have their own vehicle. This has attracted both supporters and critics. Critics argue that the place is not suitable with its few residents and remote location, while the district office also sees this measure as an opportunity to address the challenges of accommodating refugees. BR.de explains that further admission should take place in several stages.
A look at the current refugee situation
The development of the refugee situation in Germany is characterized by complicated asylum legislation. At the end of 2024, around 3.3 million people seeking protection were living in the country, with the majority coming from countries such as Ukraine, where many are fleeing due to the ongoing conflict. These war refugees receive temporary protection status, do not have to go through a regular asylum procedure and often have a special legal status. Statista reports that the number of people seeking protection has increased more than sevenfold since 2007 and has increased significantly since 2022, especially in the context of the 2015 refugee crisis and the Ukraine war.
It shows once again: the integration of refugees is of central importance. The duration and complexity of these processes can be challenging and require commitment from municipalities in order to offer those seeking protection a perspective in society. District Administrator Baier-Müller has appealed for support to counteract any bottlenecks in accommodating refugees. The need for both communities and private landlords to do their part is becoming increasingly clear.