Germany has been struggling to cope with the 1 million refugees that have entered the country this year, Berlin receiving about 90,000. Refugees have been waiting in queues to get registered with the state so that they are able to receive health care and services as well as employment. Berlin is not a very competent city for this task. Even before refugees began to arrive, it was in deep debt, received subsidies from other states, and the schools are among some of Germany's worst.
Humanitarian organizations in Germany have been watching a humanitarian crisis build up in Berlin. Refugees who have experienced trauma and arrive with health problems still wait to be registered, some barely able to communicate with locals and fill out paperwork because of their broken English. A refugee boy was plucked from the line one day by a German man and was then sexually abused and strangled.
On the other hand, Berlin's civil society is "brimming with energy." Volunteer efforts to collect clothes and food, teach refugees German and English, and provide shelter have flourished. For those refugees who have been able to be placed with an internship or job, the reviews from the German public have been good. Businesses are pleased with their new employees and are excited to hire more with the same work ethic.
This goes against the talk of refugees bringing an economy down as they take jobs from citizens. While its still early to make a judgment, it appears as though businesses are still doing well.
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21684169-berlins-refugees-wait-register-businesses-cannot-wait-employ-them-all-down-line?fsrc=scn/tw/te/pe/ed/alldowntheline
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