Angela Merkel: Choosing Humanity in a Time of Crisis

In 2015, as war and persecution displaced millions across the Middle East and Africa, Europe faced one of its greatest humanitarian challenges since World War II: the refugee crisis. Borders closed, boats sank, and political rhetoric hardened. Many leaders hesitated, but one woman stood firm.

Angela Merkel, then Chancellor of Germany, made a decision that would define her legacy.

She opened Germany’s doors to over one million asylum seekers, most fleeing war in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Critics called it reckless, while allies worried about political backlash. However, Merkel’s powerful message was:

“Wir schaffen das.” — “We can do it.”

It was a statement of moral clarity in a moment of global uncertainty.

Merkel’s decision brought immediate and long-term challenges, like housing, integration, and rising populism. But it also saved lives, as families torn apart by war found shelter, and children went back to school. Many began to rebuild their lives in peace, in a new home.

In 2022, the UNHCR honored Merkel with the Nansen Refugee Award, recognizing her “extraordinary efforts to protect people forced to flee.”

What happens when women lead?

In Germany, doors opened, lives were saved, and a powerful nation chose compassion over fear.