A family of refugees who fled war-town Syria, trekked across the desert and survived a treacherous boat ride across the Mediterranean Sea, now find themselves in an odd new home -- a pizzeria in rural Germany.
The Afgha family are among at least two dozen Syrian migrants living in Pizzeria La Posta, the sole pizza joint in the tiny town of Schonau, about 150 kilometres from Munich.
Redirecting migrants to small rural towns is just one way German officials are trying to balance the influx of at least 450,000 Syrian refugees with Oktoberfest, the annual beer festival currently underway that draws waves of lederhosen-clad tourists to the German city.
The decision was made in hopes of avoiding clashes and a drop in tourism, but it also means that families are being scattered across the country and hobbled into makeshift dwellings -- gyms, unused office buildings and, for some, a pizzeria in a sleepy little village.
“I'm worried about my kids,” said Mr. Afgha, who is concerned that the new home isn’t the ideal place for his little girls to socialize.
“They should have friends, to play with friends.”
Germans made headlines in September for their warm welcome as hordes of Syrians arrived in trains, and Schonau is no exception. Migrants living at the pizzeria say townsfolk have been kind to them as many nervously wait for asylum applications to go through.
For now, the Afgha children spend their time cooking, practicing German and playing outdoors.
Asked what’s next for his family, Mr. Afgha’s answer is simple: “I don’t know.”
More than 4 million Syrian migrants have fled their homeland since the civil war broke out in 2011, making it the biggest mass migration since World War II.
German vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has said the country could accept at least 500,000 Syrian migrants annually over the next few years, a statement that put pressure on other EU countries to open their doors.
With files from CTV’s Daniele Hamamdjian in Schonau, Germany
