Germany cuts funding for NGOs involved in migrant sea rescue operations

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - The German government confirmed on Thursday that it has cut funding for non-governmental organizations involved in migrant sea rescue operations in the Mediterranean.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that he had already publicly expressed his discomfort with financial support for such initiatives months ago and made this decision after taking office.

“I don't believe it's the Foreign Ministry's responsibility to use financial resources for this kind of sea rescue operations. We've changed our policy accordingly, and my approach will focus on diplomatic means to contain such refugee movements,” the conservative minister said.

Under the previous Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, a Green politician, the ministry provided financial support to NGOs such as SOS Humanity, SOS Mediterranee, RESQSHIP, and Sea-Eye, which have been active in operations aimed at rescuing migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea.

However, the financial support for these NGOs was sharply criticized by Wadephul's party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), claiming that such sea rescue missions were encouraging irregular migration from African countries to Europe.