The biggest challenge that the refugees who have been displaced from their home countries encounter is getting accustomed to life in a new country. To help alleviate this understandably difficult transition, a group of refugees who have arrived in Berlin recently have taken to the Web to help propagate key information and locations of resources to the incoming droves.

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Known simply as ‘Arriving in Berlin’, this online map has been researched and developed by Hamidullah Ehrari, Mohammad Yari, Farhad Ramazanali, Alhadi Aldebs: residents of the refugee accommodation center Haus Leo. The map effectively provides a visual guide that helps mark key resources that can help refugees answer typical questions that a newcomer to the city may have: Where in Berlin do I find free counseling services for refugees? Where can I attend free German classes? Where can I find a doctor who speaks Farsi? Where do I find a library to read, study or access the Internet?

The information in the maps is the result of collating real-world information from refugees as well as assistance groups. Besides English, the mapping resource has also been translated into Arabic and Farsi.  Even the design of the icons are chosen to deliver a language-agnostic indication of the resources on the map. The website is an open project, one that continues to depend on real-world feedback and contributions to result in a living, constantly updated resource.

For the millions of people grappling with an abruptly new life in a new country, this is a excellent example of The Web being put to elegant and effective use.

Check out the website here.