Alleviating global turmoil
In 2025, Germany has maintained its commitment to humanitarian aid, focusing on crisis response in several key regions. The country allocated a total of 2.25 billion Euros for humanitarian aid, making it the second largest donor country.
The occupied Palestinian territories, notably Gaza, Ukraine, Africa, and Afghanistan are the main areas of focus. Germany's strategy emphasizes aiding vulnerable groups such as women and children, and addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as part of its overall approach.
In the occupied Palestinian territories and Gaza, Germany has resumed humanitarian airdrops to provide urgently needed relief supplies. This includes cooperation with the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) and experienced UN organizations to ensure rapid delivery and maintain safe land routes for aid distribution.
Regarding Ukraine, Germany remains committed to extensive support amid the ongoing Russian aggression. By mid-2025, Germany allocated roughly €34 billion in bilateral civilian support and €40 billion in military assistance, covering winter relief, energy aid, humanitarian support, mine clearance, and stabilization.
In Africa and Afghanistan, Germany continues to provide humanitarian funding to alleviate urgent needs. For example, in August 2025, Germany provided an additional €6 million (US$7 million) for Afghanistan focused on food security and life-saving healthcare, especially targeting returning Afghans and border communities, with special attention to women and children.
However, Germany is facing criticism for significant planned cuts in humanitarian emergency aid, which is expected to be halved by 2026. Experts and aid organizations warn these cuts will severely impact vulnerable populations, particularly in the Global South, and may undermine Germany’s humanitarian influence globally. These cuts are part of a broader reduction in international development spending.
Despite budgetary constraints and planned aid cuts, Germany remains a central actor in international aid. The country works closely with international organizations like the World Food Programme, UNICEF, OCHA, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and numerous civil society organizations. Germany supports food supplies, medical supplies, accommodation, and humanitarian mine clearance efforts in the Middle East, including Gaza and Syria.
In the Middle East, Germany aims to maintain effective and efficient operations even under challenging conditions with the "Strategy for Humanitarian Assistance Abroad" published by the Federal Foreign Office in August 2024. This strategy outlines Germany's approach to crisis response, protection of vulnerable populations, and upholding humanitarian principles and international law.
In sum, Germany’s current humanitarian aid in 2025 concentrates on crisis response in Gaza/the Palestinian territories, ongoing war and displacement in Ukraine, humanitarian needs in Africa and Afghanistan, and maintaining protection for vulnerable populations including women and children, despite overall budgetary constraints and planned aid cuts.
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