Syrians in Austria do volunteer work to disarm doubts about migrants

A migrant from the association of the "Free Syrian Community Austria" volunteers with the clean-up of the floods in Kritzendorf, Austria, September 26, 2024. REUTERS/Lisa Leutner

KRITZENDORF, Austria (Reuters) - Shovelling mud out of gardens almost two weeks after torrential flooding battered the small Austrian town of Kritzendorf, Abulhkeem Alshater gestures towards a banner: "Austro-Syrians say: Thank you, Austria."

Alshater, 45, originally from Homs, Syria, has been working with dozens of his countryfolk to help clean up the mess left by floods. The work is a gesture of gratitude to Austria at a time when immigration has become a hot topic in Sunday's general election.