Sound the Alarm: Venro Urges Germany to Boost Development Aid Amidst Global Crises
Association Venro urges sufficient financial resources for development projects - Commission requested to deliver comprehensive update on programme's execution.
Listen up! The world is in a perilous state, what with wars, climate change, and political instability wreaking havoc on people's lives. Over 300 million folk worldwide require humanitarian aid, and over 100 million are displaced from their homes. Yet, tragically, donor countries are retreating from international development financing.
Enter Venro, a powerful umbrella organization that's had enough. They're pleading for ample funds, crying out for at least 2.2 billion euros for humanitarian aid from the Federal Foreign Office and 11.2 billion euros for the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in the budget.
Director Herbst paints a grim picture. Germany has continually missed the mark on its international pledge to allocate 0.7 percent of GNI for development aid. In 2024, the country only managed 0.66 percent – the lowest level since 2020. Herbst cautions that further cuts would be an act of utter recklessness. After all, Germany, as an exporting nation, relies on friendly relationships and global stability to secure jobs back home.
What's more, Herbst cites a study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy showing that every invested dollar in crisis prevention saves a whopping 25 dollars in crisis management. This calls for "political foresight, not populist cost debates."
Unsurprisingly, 30 associations, including heavy hitters like Bread for the World, Care Germany, Caritas international, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, Kindernothilfe, One, Oxfam, Save the Children, Welthungerhilfe, and World Vision, have petitioned the government for a substantial increase in development aid to create a fairer world. They aim to meet the UN’s sustainable development goals by 2030.
Venro isn't done yet. On Tuesday, they're stepping up their game with a demonstration in front of the Chancellery during budget negotiations, urging for "more, not less investment in the fight against poverty, hunger, preventable diseases, climate change, and humanitarian crises."
The international development aid scene is in a divisive state, plagued by massive budget cuts from the U.S. and other countries due to the difficult economic situation and growing military spending. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned of the devastating consequences and called on the federal government to lead the charge in global development aid.
In this tumultuous landscape, Germany stands out as one of the world's most significant contributors to official development assistance (ODA). Yet, its development aid budget has seen reductions. The 2025 draft budget allocates about €10.3 billion to the BMZ, which is approximately one billion euros less than the previous year. This reduction has ignited concern among stakeholders apprehensive about its impact on development programs. If we don't address these issues urgently, tomorrow's crises may be just around the corner.
- In light of the global crises, Venro is advocating for an increased budget in the employment policy of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to help address preventable diseases, climate change, and humanitarian crises.
- To ensure global stability, which is crucial for Germany's export-driven economy, it's essential for the country to prioritize its commitment to the international pledge for development aid, especially amidst the current tumultuous global landscape.
