Budget - Aid organizations warn German government against cuts
Humanitarian organizations Welthungerhilfe and terre des hommes have urged the German government to put its development policy in Africa to the test.
At the presentation of their annual report "Compass" on development policy, they also recommended a binding guideline for goals to be agreed upon with African countries and offers the German government should make in return. It is time to adapt the different Africa papers of the ministries to the changed challenges in Africa, said Mathias Mogge, General Secretary of Welthungerhilfe.
"The outdated narrative of Africa as the 'Crisis Continent' should be overcome and the role of Africa as a valued partner recognized. Therefore, the German government should conduct dialogue at eye level and align its measures with the existing concepts, for example, of the African Union", Mogge added.
Food security and strengthening rural areas should be priorities. Budget cuts of more than 30% in the Development Ministry (BMZ) in this area from 2023 are short-sighted and send the wrong signal.
Organizations warn against budget cuts in a "Crisis Mode World"
Both organizations warned the German government against budget cuts in the Development Ministry. They referred to global challenges in a "World in Crisis Mode" and an increasing number of hungry people.
"If the current financial planning of Finance Minister Christian Lindner is implemented, the funding will decrease by approximately 1.6 billion Euro in 2025. That would be a reduction of over 25% within a legislative period", Joshua Hofert, Communications Director of terre des hommes, stated. Millions of people on the African continent would be affected by such cuts - for example, in Sudan, Somalia, or Burkina Faso, who are suffering from the consequences of crises and conflicts.
The Development Ministry has approximately 11.2 billion Euro at its disposal in the budget year 2024. That corresponds to 2.35% of the total federal budget. Ten years ago, the budget of the house was around 6.4 billion Euro. The report "Compass 2024" will subject the German development policy to critical analysis and particularly consider the requirements of the 2015 adopted UN Agenda for Sustainable Development for German politics.
Important goal: Strengthen agriculture
In the report, it is also demanded to focus on food security and resistance of food systems in the Sahel region. "This should prioritize the strengthening of sustainable and resilient agriculture, with a focus on improving the production conditions of smallholder farms and creating income opportunities, especially in rural areas", it says.
The Sahel region is being destabilized by armed conflicts and terrorist groups. Recently, soldiers seized power in several countries, turning away from Western partners and towards Russia. Climate change consequences and a high birth rate also make it difficult to combat hunger and poverty.
- Christian Lindner, as Finance Minister, has been urged by organizations like Welthungerhilfe and terre des hommes to reconsider the proposed budget cuts in the Development Ministry.
- These organizations argue that such cuts could amount to a reduction of over 25% within the legislative period, which would equate to approximately 1.6 billion Euro in 2025.
- These budget cuts, they say, are particularly concerning in a "World in Crisis Mode" where global challenges and an increasing number of hungry people are a reality.
- Millions of people across Africa, in nations like Sudan, Somalia, and Burkina Faso, could be affected by these cuts, many of whom are already facing the consequences of crises and conflicts.
- Mathias Mogge, General Secretary of Welthungerhilfe, suggests that the German government should conduct dialogue at eye level and align its measures with the existing concepts, such as those of the African Union, to recognize Africa as a valued partner.
- The report "Compass 2024" will scrutinize the German development policy and evaluate its alignment with the requirements of the 2015 adopted UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly focusing on food security and strengthening sustainable and resilient agriculture in rural areas.
- Food security and strengthening rural areas should be prioritized, as budget cuts of more than 30% in this area from 2023 are said to be short-sighted and send the wrong signal.
- It is recommended that the German government put its development policy in Africa to the test and collaborate with African countries to agree upon binding goals, supporting aid organizations such as Welthungerhilfe and terre des hommes in their mission to combat hunger and promote development aid in Africa.
