Syrian refugees help with clean-up work in Ahrweiler after the flood disaster

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Ahrweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate

Clean-up work in Ahrweiler.

The men who lend a hand here are refugees from Syria.

Arrived in Germany six years ago, they have now come from all over the country to provide voluntary aid in the disaster areas.

After all, they know all too well what it's like to lose everything.

Barakat Oubaid, “Syrian Volunteers in Germany”

“Our boys have experience with such things, with disasters.

You can handle it well.

And now they are helping to clean up the streets everywhere, and they are also renovating the houses. "

The men followed an internet call from a volunteer group.

Organized by the paramedic Anas Alakkad from Saarland.

Anas Alakkad, paramedic

“What we know about Germany is that everything is organized, everything is beautiful.

Everything green.

And then in the affected areas we felt like we were in Syria.

Then we thought, ei, that doesn't work at all.

That's impossible.

We should contribute something.

That really moved us. "

Some of the helpers live in the flood disaster areas themselves.

Like Mouaiad Abedelbi.

He comes from Ahrweiler - and has himself - again - lost his home.

Mouaid Abedelbi, volunteer from Ahrweiler

»The Germans' apartments have been destroyed, our apartment has also been destroyed.

We are with each other, we just feel like the Germans feel.

We have seen it and we shall see it again here.

But I would say in the end, we're here to help.

And we are strong, hand in hand with the Germans we repair everything - no matter what, we are there! «

The neighbors are overwhelmed by the spontaneous help.

Angelika Gronau, relatives of flood victims

»It's crazy with the workforce.

They got the whole screed out of here in no time, will be back tomorrow and I think the day after tomorrow, too, and they are removing the core from the rest of the house.

Because floor, wall, screed, everything has to go. "

Much remains to be done in Ahrweiler and other affected localities for a long time.

New helpers report to the group of Syrian volunteers every day.