Germany’s humanitarian aid cuts spark fierce backlash from Red Cross and Greens
The German Red Cross (DRK) and the Green Party's parliamentary group have jointly called for a significant increase in humanitarian aid funding. They propose a budget of three billion euros per year, a substantial rise from the current amount. This comes in response to the German federal government's substantial reduction of the humanitarian aid budget in the Foreign Office for the year 2025.
The federal budget for 2025, finalized by the Bundestag on September 18, 2025, and effective since January 1, 2025, saw a significant reduction in humanitarian aid funding. This move has been met with criticism from both the DRK and the Green Party.
Jamila Schäfer, a Green lawmaker, strongly condemned the cuts, describing them as 'humanitarily irresponsible' and 'geopolitically short-sighted'. She argued that such reductions undermine Germany's commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
Christof Johnen, head of international cooperation at the DRK, echoed these concerns. He described the cuts as 'incomprehensible' and 'alarming', comparing Germany's actions unfavourably to those of other nations, such as the U.S.
The DRK and the Green Party have urged the government to reconsider its stance on humanitarian aid funding. They argue that increasing the budget to three billion euros per year would better reflect Germany's role and responsibility in global humanitarian efforts.
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