Flexible exhibition halls – we are glad that the halls of Hamburg Messe contribute to cope with the arrival of refugees

In August, the Hamburg City authority had temporarily set up another reception center for 1,200 refugees on the grounds of Hamburg Messe (Hamburg’s exhibition center). The fair administration has provided hall B6 to the refugees, with 13,000 square meters the largest hall.

Meanwhile, the refugees have been allocated to other accommodation. The self-organized clothing bank was supposed to be cleared by 30 September as well. Now, however, the City and Fair have agreed to an extension until 31 December.

The clothing bank supplies refugee facilities throughout Hamburg with donations – currently an indispensable institution. Starting with only a few clothes bags and volunteers, this has probably become the biggest humanitarian relief operation of the Hanseatic City since World War Two in just four weeks. Thousands of boxes are stacked on 11,000 square meters, trucks roll around, and everywhere scurrying people. It appears chaotic; however, it has a system.