Introduction

Abstract

On Sept. 1st 2015, German officials turned to the public with an unorthodox plea. Motivated by the unexpected arrival of numerous refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan in Bavaria, hundreds of volunteers had gathered spontaneously at Munich station, bringing staples of food, beverage and blankets for the adults, toys and stuffed animals for the kids. Others tidied up the station forecourt or took away litter and waste. This spontaneous readiness to help and the number of volunteers was so overwhelming, that officials saw themselves incapable of organizing the private aid donations, and the police felt compelled to ask the public to abstain from coming to the station and bringing more relief supplies.