Syrians hail German Chancellor as mother

"She is like our mother, she has helped so many migrants," a Syrian said happily about German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

When Mrs. Merkel visited a center for migrants in Berlin on September 10, crowds of Syrians cheered and competed to take selfies with her, according to AFP.

Ramadan Salah, 35, one of the lucky ones to make the trip to Germany, said people were happy that Mrs Merkel was visiting. "It was a dream come true to have a photo with Mrs Merkel," he said.

Refugees compete to take selfies with Mrs. Merkel. Photo: AFP

While visiting a school for migrant children, the German chancellor expressed confidence that the country could handle the situation in the face of the largest wave of immigration in history.

"If thousands of people come to Berlin every day, it is a big challenge. But I have the impression that there is an extraordinary motivation, a great enthusiasm to face this challenge. We want to give them a good future," she said.

About 450,000 migrants have arrived in Germany so far, including 37,000 in the first week of this month, according to German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel. Facing a massive influx from Syria, Iraq and other regions, Germany estimates it will receive 800,000 migrants this year, four times more than in 2014 and more than any other EU country.

With thousands arriving every day, migrants are housed in former schools, office buildings and even military barracks, with an estimated 14,500 people in 14 camps.

Another 5,000 are staying at a former US base in Giessen, Hesse state. More than a thousand are housed in large tents, with about 70-80 people in each. Here, many children play while their parents find life acceptable.

"We are happy to be here, please don't send us back to Afghanistan," said a 30-year-old man.

Stefan Gruettner, the minister in charge of social affairs for the state of Hesse, said the biggest challenge for the government is ensuring accommodation for refugees as autumn approaches and temperatures are expected to drop.

According to VNE