‘Courage shown’ – Merkel honored with UN refugee award

The UNHCR selection committee praised Merkel for her “leadership, courage and compassion” when, at the height of the Syrian crisis in 2015 and 2016, Germany took in more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers affected by violence and persecution. threatened. Merkel has shown “vision, courage and strength,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said when he presented her with the gold Nansen Medal.

You have shown a “moral compass” that has guided not only your work and your country’s actions, but also “pointed the way for so many of us in Europe and around the world,” he said. At a time when the number of internally displaced people worldwide exceeds 100 million for the first time, this should set an example for other heads of state.

Merkel saw “huge challenges”
Merkel accepted the award in front of about 500 people, acknowledging that Germany had faced “huge challenges” as so many refugees poured into the country at once. But the former chancellor, who famously said ‘We can do it’ at the time, said he was proud that the Germans agreed with her.

She hopes that in the future more people will feel compelled to provide shelter to other people in need, Merkel said. No one leaves the house lightly and without careful consideration.

Prize awarded since 1954
Named after Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanist Fridtjof Nansen, the prize has been awarded annually by the UNHCR since 1954 to an individual, group or organization that has done outstanding work in protecting refugees, internally displaced persons or stateless persons.