Former East German Cold War refugee centre now hosts people fleeing modern conflicts: Video

As Germany grapples with immigration issues that have fueled the rise of far-right parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD), Marienfelde has become a symbol of the country's evolving refugee landscape.

Arkota Suleiman Jabonah, a Sudanese refugee, arrived with his family and is adjusting to the assistance the centre provides. "For now, we’ll stay here because we’re new and need help from social workers with applications and job centre forms," he said. "Eventually, once we learn German, we’ll be able to find an apartment on our own."

Marienfelde’s director, Olivija Music, explained that it’s difficult to ask long-term residents to move out to make room for new arrivals. “We’ve been preparing residents for this transition for up to two years,” she told the AFP.

Historically, the Marienfelde Centre housed German citizens from East Berlin who, upon arrival, had rights and pathways to full citizenship. Today’s arrivals face a more complex process, says Bettina Effner, Director of the Marienfelde Memorial Museum.

“The difference now is that these people often endure long processes to determine their residency status - whether they’ll be tolerated or granted residency,” she explained.

For refugees like Layan Al Jazzar, who arrived from Syria with her mother and sister, the journey has been emotionally taxing. “We were crying all the time...we didn’t know anyone or speak the language,” she shared.