Earlier this year, the newly established Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation called on nations to contribute to its goal of raising 120 million euros ($172 million) to maintain and preserve one of the most notorious Nazi death camps.

Germany has now answered the call by pledging 60 million euros ($87 million) to the foundation. The money is meant to create an endowment that will pay for the upkeep of the camp's roughly 450 buildings and ruins, including barracks and gas chambers.

The fund will also be used to maintain thousands of personal items from victims of the camp, including 80,000 shoes and 3,800 suitcases.

Auschwitz, located in southern Poland, was built by the Germans in 1940 and remained in use until 1945, when it was liberated by the Soviet Army. Postwar estimates put the number of those who died at the camp at one million.

Most of the victims were European Jews, but many non-Jewish Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Sinti and Roma and anti-Nazi resistance fighters were among those who died in the gas chambers or were worked or starved to death.

'Historical responsibility'

Germany's donation to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation is a combination of funds from the state and federal levels.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the "important and worthwhile" donation was "an expression of our historical responsibility."

Piotr Cywinski, head of the foundation, hailed Germany's contribution as a significant step toward permanently maintaining the historical site.

"This is a great day! The plan for the long-term preservation of this memorial is becoming a reality," said Cywinski.

mz/AP/AFP/DPA

Editor: Kyle James