Germany’s recent budget cuts threaten vital humanitarian aid and development efforts.

Germany has significantly contributed to global humanitarian aid and development cooperation, but recent budget policies are jeopardizing these efforts. For the first time in 30 years, the coalition agreement lacks the internationally agreed target of investing 0.7% of Gross National Income in development and humanitarian aid, marking the fifth consecutive cut.

The consequences of these cuts are dire. International aid organizations are facing existential threats, with the U.S. rapidly dismantling its USAID agency, which has been crucial in providing clean water, food, and medicine. The pragmatic value of compassion must not be overlooked, as development cooperation has saved millions of lives and improved countless situations worldwide.