Syrians in Sinzig: Refugees help Germans rebuild after devastating floods | DW Documentary
Summary
TLDRIn July last year, devastating floods hit the Ahr Valley in western Germany. A unique aid campaign was launched by Syrian volunteers in Germany, who called for support in Arabic. Hundreds of Syrians responded, offering disaster relief. These volunteers, experienced in war and disaster, formed bonds with flood victims and some even moved to the valley. They now use their network to assist Ukrainian refugees. Their efforts have not only helped rebuild the community but also changed perceptions, demonstrating resilience and solidarity across borders.
Takeaways
- 🌍 The R Valley in western Germany experienced devastating floods in July of the previous year, affecting hundreds of households and causing widespread destruction.
- 🤝 Syrian volunteers in Germany launched a unique aid campaign to support the flood victims, leveraging their own experiences with disasters and war.
- 📢 The group put out a call in Arabic for additional support, which was answered by hundreds of Syrians across Germany, showing a strong sense of community and solidarity.
- 🏠 Syrians formed bonds with the flood victims and some are now moving to the valley themselves, integrating into the community they helped rebuild.
- 👥 Anas Al-Akhad, a co-founder of Syrian Volunteers in Germany, is moving to Zinsi, showing the personal commitment and investment in the community's recovery.
- 🚑 Anas, who is also a paramedic, recently assisted Ukrainian refugees, demonstrating the versatility and ongoing commitment of the Syrian volunteers to help those in need.
- 🔄 The Syrian volunteers are now using their disaster relief network to coordinate aid for Ukraine, highlighting the expansion of their humanitarian efforts beyond the initial flood relief.
- 🏗 Abdul Moyn Bakhan, known as Hercules, runs a construction and gardening company and is helping with the rebuilding efforts in Zinsi, showing the practical skills brought by the volunteers.
- 💰 There is a major housing shortage in Zinsi since the flooding, with many people still living in temporary accommodations like camper vans, indicating the scale of the disaster's impact.
- 🤝 The Syrian volunteers were initially met with skepticism but eventually gained the trust and gratitude of the local residents, changing perceptions and fostering a sense of community.
- 🌱 The volunteers aim to restore the town's old charm and provide hope to the residents, in contrast to the despair they have experienced in Syria where rebuilding seems impossible.
- 🔄 The collaborative space in Zinsi became an organizational hub during the flooding, serving as a meeting point and shelter for helpers, symbolizing the community's resilience and cooperation.
Q & A
What was the unique aid campaign launched in response to the flooding in the Ahr Valley in Western Germany?
-The unique aid campaign was launched by a group called Syrian Volunteers in Germany, who put out a call in Arabic for extra support. Hundreds of Syrians across Germany responded to help flood victims.
Why do the Syrian volunteers believe they are better equipped to deal with disasters compared to many Germans?
-The Syrian volunteers believe they are better equipped to deal with disasters because they have extensive experience with disasters and war, having survived such conditions themselves.
How have some of the Syrian volunteers formed bonds with the flood victims in the Ahr Valley?
-Some of the Syrian volunteers have formed bonds with the flood victims by pitching in for months to help with recovery efforts and have even moved to the valley themselves.
What is Anas Al-Akhad's role and current situation mentioned in the script?
-Anas Al-Akhad is a co-founder of Syrian Volunteers in Germany. He is moving to Zinsi but will only be there partially until he finishes his business degree in Zabriken.
What new initiative are the Syrian volunteers involved in, and how does it relate to their past experiences?
-The Syrian volunteers are now using their network from the Ahr Valley disaster relief campaign to coordinate aid for Ukraine. This initiative relates to their past experiences as they understand the needs of refugees, having been refugees themselves.
How did the residents of Zinzig respond to the Syrian volunteers' help during the flood recovery?
-Many residents of Zinzig were amazed and grateful for the Syrian volunteers' help. Some residents had their perceptions changed, expressing surprise and appreciation for the Syrians' care and assistance.
What are the current living conditions in Zinzig following the flooding?
-Many homes in Zinzig were completely destroyed by the flood, and many residents are still living in camper vans or other towns until their houses are habitable again.
What are the goals of the Syrian volunteers as they continue their work in Zinzig?
-The Syrian volunteers aim to restore the town's old charm and help rebuild it. They also want to continue aiding other areas in need, like Ukraine, and hope to make their disaster relief efforts a profession.
What challenges are mentioned regarding the reconstruction efforts in Zinzig?
-One challenge mentioned is the high cost of reconstruction, with an example of Abdul being appalled by the price charged for repair work. Additionally, there are issues with the quality of work done by some workers.
How has the experience of volunteering in disaster relief impacted the Syrian volunteers personally?
-Volunteering in disaster relief has helped the Syrian volunteers feel stronger and find their place in society. It has also provided them with a sense of purpose and the ability to contribute positively to their new communities.
Outlines
🌊 Syrian Volunteers Assist Flood Victims in Germany
In July of last year, the Ahr Valley in western Germany experienced devastating flooding. In response, a unique aid campaign was launched by the Syrian Volunteers in Germany, who quickly mobilized hundreds of Syrians to assist the flood victims. Drawing on their experiences with disasters and war, they were well-equipped to provide effective aid. Anas al-Akhad, a co-founder of the group and a paramedic, is moving to the valley to further assist and coordinate aid efforts. The Syrian volunteers have also extended their aid to Ukrainian refugees, using their established network from the flood relief campaign.
🏚️ Ongoing Recovery and Challenges in Zinzig
The destructive force of the Ahr River flooding shocked both residents and volunteers alike. Many homes in Zinzig were completely destroyed, leaving residents living in temporary accommodations. The Syrian volunteers have been instrumental in the recovery efforts, challenging stereotypes and forming bonds with the local community. Despite the ongoing challenges, the volunteers continue to provide crucial assistance, such as checking structural integrity and offering free repairs, while the town slowly rebuilds.
🏠 Building New Lives and Community in Zinzig
Faris, a digital media designer and member of the Syrian Volunteers, sees Zinzig as a place of hope. He aims to professionalize their volunteer efforts, leveraging data collected during their campaigns to aid Ukrainian refugees. The volunteers’ experiences have solidified their commitment to creating a better world. Abdul, who lost his family in Syria, finds the war in Ukraine particularly upsetting but remains dedicated to helping others. The volunteers hope their actions inspire others and demonstrate the strength found in aiding those in need.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Flooding
💡Syrian Volunteers in Germany
💡Disaster Relief
💡Experience
💡Refugees
💡Zinzi
💡Paramedic
💡Housing Shortage
💡Community
💡Co-working Space
💡Digital Media Designer
Highlights
In July of last year, the R Valley in western Germany was hit by devastating flooding.
A unique aid campaign was launched by Syrian volunteers in Germany to support flood victims.
Hundreds of Syrians from across Germany answered the call to help, leveraging their experience with disasters and war.
Syrian volunteers formed bonds with flood victims and some are now moving to the valley themselves.
Anas Al-Akhad, a co-founder of Syrian Volunteers in Germany, is moving to Zinsi while finishing his business degree.
Syrian volunteers now use their disaster relief network to coordinate aid for Ukraine, drawing parallels to their own escape to safety.
The damaged housing situation in Zinsi has led to a shortage, with many living in camper vans or other towns.
Syrian volunteers were initially met with skepticism but eventually gained the trust and gratitude of the local community.
Abdul Moyn Bakhan, known as Hercules, runs a construction and gardening company and helps manage it with the help of his friends.
The Syrian volunteers' mission is to restore the town's old charm, providing hope to the residents.
The collaborative space in Zinsi became an organizational hub during the flooding, facilitating meetings, meals, and rest for helpers.
The Syrian volunteers have made friends and changed the community's perception of refugees and newcomers.
Ferris, a digital media designer, dreams of turning the volunteer disaster relief group into a professional organization.
The Syrian volunteers have created digital forms and collected data to assist in helping Ukrainian refugees.
Abdul was deeply affected by the war in Ukraine, having lost his family in Syria, and questions the motives behind the conflict.
Helping others has empowered the volunteers and helped them find their place in society, inspiring them to continue contributing wherever needed.
Transcripts
in july of last year there was mud here
everywhere the r valley in western
germany was hit by devastating flooding
in just a matter of days a unique aid
campaign was launched the group syrian
volunteers in germany put a call out in
arabic for extra support and hundreds of
syrians from across germany answered the
call to help flood victims
we have more experience than germans
when it comes to disasters and war
we've been through it all and survived
so we're better equipped to deal with it
than many who haven't yet faced these
things
[Music]
nestled in the ah valley a group of
syrians pitched in for months they
formed bonds with the flood victims and
now some of these helpers are moving to
the valley themselves
[Music]
anas al-akhad is moving to zinsi today
or at least partially
until he finishes his business degree in
zabriken
he's a co-founder of syrian volunteers
in germany and has yet to visit his new
home
he just knows his friend abdul already
lives there
i'm all worked up where will i shower
where will i cook or do my shopping
but he's excited too
is also a paramedic
and recently assisted ukrainian refugees
the syrian volunteers now use the
network from their disaster relief
campaign in the r valley to coordinate
aid for ukraine
it really reminded me of my own escape
to safety
and my experience helps enable me to
provide assistance to these people
for this loiter to lie
he picked up refugees in this bus now
he's using it to move house
during the drive he keeps getting calls
to organize more aid transports for
ukraine
and now the team can take on other tasks
throughout europe
and why not
it's our goal to help out in ukraine and
wherever else we can
he thinks it will need to be torn down
the damaged house is just a temporary
solution there's been a major housing
shortage in zinzi since the flooding
anasa's friend faris alaham already
lives in zinsi and is helping him move
in
yo let's get
this will be fine for now
until we've set up our headquarters
anyway headquarters
abdul moyn bakhan is there now too
his friends call him hercules because
he's so strong and hercules is also the
name of his construction and gardening
company
his two friends help him manage the
business since he's still learning
german
he previously worked in cottbus in
eastern germany for four years
but had difficulties settling in
no one would speak german with him there
but things are different here in zinzig
because i found the people here so nice
and friendly
of course i was helping them
but that's normal
when you see what other people are going
through it makes your own troubles seem
less dramatic
the residents of zintsik weren't the
only ones shocked by the destructive
force this small river unleashed the
volunteers were taken aback as well
it was terrible
there was mud absolutely everywhere
destruction everywhere
wood asphalt and all kinds of things
like that stuff over there
the flooding affected 650 households in
zinsi
many homes were completely destroyed by
the sheer force of the ah river and not
all of them were able to be rebuilt many
people are still living in camper vans
or other towns until their houses are
habitable again
many residents were amazed by this
syrian volunteers
when
many people think those poor refugees
are always in need of help
and then refugees show up right at your
doorstep asking how can i help you
i'll give you
many of them cried and said we had a
different image of you
we didn't expect you to be so caring and
helpful
and we're sorry we had that kind of
image of you uh that's we
is just one of the flood victims the
syrian trio and their colleagues helped
they tore off all the plaster in her
basement she is still deeply grateful
we had a lot of phone numbers we could
have called but the syrian construction
crew was a real life saver and pitched
in at short notice
her house is still uninhabitable today
we had hoped we could at least live on
the upper floor while the cleanup and
restoration work was going on but we
were mistaken because the waters of the
r river had penetrated into the floor
making everything muddy here
abdul is tapping on the walls to check
for any cavities he's not happy with the
job the workers are doing so far
54 euros per square meter oh my god
abdul is appalled by the price she's
being charged so he offers his pets to
fix up her garden for free
[Music]
the syrians want to restore the town's
old charm that's their mission
here the people have reason for hope you
can do something and rebuild but in
syria that would be impossible
we have cities that are completely
destroyed
there's no hope left there like there is
here
now that winter has passed construction
work is on the way again
anas has another call there are more
ukrainian refugees in need of
transportation
the syrian refugees network is in great
demand these days
about 18 000 people live in the town of
zinzig in the german state of
rhineland-palatinate
the collaborative space co-working in
zinzig became an organizational hub
during the flooding
here helpers met up ate meals
and slept in close quarters for weeks
the syrian helpers are just arriving
back at the co-working space
and they're happy to see their old
colleague jennifer fleisher again things
have calmed down a bit in the r valley
the worst of the disaster is behind them
the syrians have made friends during
their time here and the residents of
zinsi did too but not everyone was so
open to the syrian volunteers from the
beginning
some people really had to test the
waters
and were really cautious
but in the end i got very positive
feedback and they were glad to have the
syrian volunteers as help
and it changed since he has a community
the people of zinsi treat each other
much differently now and that's really
nice they're way friendlier and not so
skeptical towards new people or others
i have the feeling they're much more
open now
wherever i look there's a memory
truly in every square inch
we've had so many talks shared so many
nice moments and laughter together it's
a really nice place
ferris has lived in a studio apartment
in zinzig since the beginning of the
year and for him it's a place of hope
the digital media designer wants to
further develop his work
the dream is to turn the volunteer
disaster relief group into a profession
through the syrian volunteers in germany
campaign or the flood relief campaign
we've created numerous digital forms and
collected statistical and analytical
data
and they're using this data to help
ukrainian refugees too because now
they're the ones fleeing from bombs
ferris and anas can take stock of their
vast network how many helpers have time
and when
who has a driver's license who can drive
a truck
their designated headquarters may be at
a house that's set to be demolished but
their experiences have bolstered them in
their dream of a better world especially
now the war in ukraine is upsetting to
abdul in particular he lost his entire
family in syria in a chlorine gas attack
or all these people waging war in syria
i don't know
but the same thing is happening now in
ukraine
why is putin waging war
why
while we were filming anas explained how
helping makes you feel stronger and find
your place in society
just like these volunteers who have
found a new home they hope to lead by
example and keep pitching in wherever
they're needed
[Music]
you
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