Germany took in more than 1 million refugees in 2015. Many of these refugees come from Syria. The US, by comparison, has taken in less than 2,000 Syrian refugees since 2011.
Predictably, the surge of refugees has strained the Germany's resources. Processing centers have enormous backlogs, temporary housing facilities are stuffed and assimiliation centers are booked. All refugees are trying to integrate into a new, foreign country and it has been difficult.
But this should not deter any German from lending a hand, according to Prime Minister Angela Merkel.
Instead, she has called on her fellow Germans to keep an open heart and mind when it comes to refugees. They have come from disastrous circumstances and need help. Now is not the time to turn on them.
In the address below, she thanks all Germans for the generosity they have shown and shares her optimism for the year ahead and for the opportunities presented by refugees.
Angela Merkel's message to German people: Thank you"We can do this, because Germany is a strong country."In an upbeat New Year's message, Chancellor Angela Merkel thanks the people of Germany for the welcome they gave thousands of migrants this year, and urges them not to turn against the new arrivals.
Posted by Channel 4 News on Thursday, December 31, 2015
What a great New Year's resolution. A whole country committed to kindness.
In the year ahead, look for ways that you can help refugees return to a normal life. It is by helping at risk communities like the refugees and adopting the spirit of the Global Goals that extreme povery can be ended.
And go to TAKE ACTION NOW to adopt the Global Goals as your New Year's resolution.