Readers reflect on donations to Pakistan and sham marriages in Britain

The following comments reflect the views of DW-WORLD.DE readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

Pakistan aid donations

I've been searching for several days for a way to donate money to help the relief but haven't found one except for the Red Cross. I wasn't sure if I could trust the money I donated to other organizations would actually go to the people. After reading the article "Donations in Germany frighteningly low as Pakistan relief grows critical," I realize that I am not the only one thinking the same thing would happen with any money that I gave. -- Erick, US

But if the economy is recovering, shouldn't people at the top have more money to donate? -- JJ, US

Pakistan's PM has called on the world for help, but what is Pakistan doing to help the world in the face of terrorism out of Pakistan? That terrorism significantly contributes to the deaths and injuries to German and international personnel in Afghanistan. -- Charles, Great Britain

Perhaps people are concerned that their money may not make it to the victims. The people in Pakistan urgently need the support of the international community, and most of us can spend some Euros to help the poor people! -- Grit, Belgium

I have made a small donation to World Vision International via World Vision Australia for the Pakistan Floods (www.wvi.org/). The Australian government has donated 10 million dollars to Pakistan, but I think that Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott need to do something about the matter in the last week of the election campaign. The federal election in Australia is on Saturday, August 21, 2010. It could be a very close result. -- Stuart, Australia

Yes, one has to help where one can. But, as reported, Germany is now giving 15 million in donations to Pakistan, and money is only a temporary solution until next time! Apart from the danger of corruption, which is already happening, one has to admit that too many people are living in these countries. -- Angelique, Jersey

Sham marriages in Britain

I'm not surprised by this article. The very same thing was happening in Canada in the mid '80's to early '90's after the Iron Curtain's fall. Out of eight such marriages that I know about, only two have actually prevailed. The two couples did fall in love, have children and are happy together. Perhaps the immigration system ought to make some concessions for people on working permits, who pay taxes, buy properties and open businesses - to allow them to stay permanently without going to such extremes of breaking a law. In a way, I do feel sad for these people. -- Melani, Canada

I am working very hard to go into a sham marriage. I know more than 48 people that have done it and they are all granted five years to remain. I've been here illegally since 2000, and I knew someone that came in two years ago, who entered a sham marriage, she has access to lots. I have children, work very hard to survive with little money, and am scared of immigration control. What a horrible and miserable life for an illegal immigrant that has no home to go back to. -- Anonymous, Nigeria

Compiled by Greg Wiser
Editor: Rob Turner