German gives generously to refugees

- Germans gave last year a record amount in charity. 5.5 billion was given to charity, 12 percent more than the year before. This is evident from study published Tuesday by the German research company GfK.

Of the total amount was 500 million for humanitarian aid. Gifts for the earthquake in Nepal and the refugee crisis have contributed greatly to the record.

Germany plays an important role in the refugee debate. Chancellor Angela Merkel decided in September to keep the German borders to refugees.