BERLIN: Despite some domestic and international criticism, the United Nations refugee agency announced on Tuesday that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel would receive the highest honor for her efforts to welcome more than one million refugees, most of them from Syria.

According to Matthew Saltmarsh, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Merkel has been chosen as the latest recipient of the Nansen Prize, which is given annually by the Geneva-based United Nations agency.

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Saltmarsh told reporters, "In 2015 and 2016, when the Syrian conflict was at its worst and there was deadly violence around the world, Germany welcomed more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers under the direction of then Federal Chancellor Merkel. did." "Dr. Merkel contributed to drawing attention to the global plight of refugees."

A vocal minority opposed Merkel's decision to accept so many migrants, which helped garner support for the far-right alternative to the Germany party. While some EU member states were closing their borders to refugees and asylum seekers, they were criticized by some governments for being too liberal towards them.

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The prize includes an amount of $150,000. According to Saltmarsh, next Monday, Merkel is due to go to Geneva to accept the honour. Additionally, four regional winners were announced.

According to the UNHCR, the Nansen Refugee Award recognizes individuals, teams or organizations that "go above and beyond the call of duty" to protect refugees, internally displaced and stateless people.

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Since the award's inception in 1954 to honor Fridjof Nansen, a Norwegian scientist, explorer and diplomat who served as the first Commissioner for Refugees in the League of Nations, the forerunner of the United Nations, more than 60 laureates have been awarded. has been awarded.

The Jel Albena Association for Humanitarian Development in Yemen, which supports displaced Yemenis, received the award in 2021.