Welcome to Hanau

Welcome to Hanau

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An enormous sports hall in Hanau, a port city on the River Main near Frankfurt, is the temporary shelter to newly arrived migrants who have crossed Europe fleeing poverty and war in their home countries.

While refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq and other Muslim countries are also arriving in Germany, Syrians make up the largest single contingent - estimated at about 45 percent.

. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
Migrants are seen through the window of a specially chartered train on their way to Hanau.

Amid Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War Two, Germany has said it will likely take 800,000 asylum seekers.

European Commission plans to distribute 120,000 refugees across the 28 European Union countries over the next two years have exposed deep divisions between EU member nations, with stiff resistance from several eastern countries including Hungary.

. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
Translations for common medical terms and parts of the body, written in Arabic, German and English, hang on a board.

The longer-term impact on Germany, which unlike Britain or France has no tradition of taking in immigrants from former colonies, is unclear. Many new arrivals are still contending with problems all refugees face, such as learning the language and getting a job. The number of those yet to follow them is also unknown.

Meanwhile in Hanau, in the cavernous sports hall with an athletics track surrounding rows of temporary beds, the new arrivals get their bearings - and draw breath after a journey across many borders, often at great personal risk.

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Slideshow

Migrants get assistance on their way to a temporary refugee registration centre in Hanau.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Migrants get assistance on their way to a temporary refugee registration centre in Hanau.

Well-wishers applaud a Syrian woman carrying her baby as she makes her way to the registration centre.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Well-wishers applaud a Syrian woman carrying her baby as she makes her way to the registration centre.

A handwritten cardboard is on display at the shelter.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A handwritten cardboard is on display at the shelter.

Migrants have their bags checked by security officers.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Migrants have their bags checked by security officers.

A doctor conducts a medical test for newly arrived migrants.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A doctor conducts a medical test for newly arrived migrants.

A migrant undergoes a medical check at the shelter.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A migrant undergoes a medical check at the shelter.

Migrants queue up for a meal.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Migrants queue up for a meal.

A migrant child carries food at the sports hall.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A migrant child carries food at the sports hall.

A migrant child waits for food.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A migrant child waits for food.

A toddler plays at the improvised shelter.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A toddler plays at the improvised shelter.

A child uses a scooter on the athletics track.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A child uses a scooter on the athletics track.

A migrant child sits on the terrace of a sports hall.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A migrant child sits on the terrace of a sports hall.

Donated clothing for migrants is stored ready for use.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Donated clothing for migrants is stored ready for use.

Migrants look at donated clothes.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Migrants look at donated clothes.

A migrant tests a new pair of shoes for size.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A migrant tests a new pair of shoes for size.

A migrant sleeps.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

A migrant sleeps.

Rows of beds are arranged to accommodate the newly arrived migrants.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Rows of beds are arranged to accommodate the newly arrived migrants.

Migrants rest on temporary beds.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Migrants rest on temporary beds.

Migrants charge their mobile phones.
. Hanau, Germany. Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Migrants charge their mobile phones.