German External Affairs Minister Johan Wadeful on Thursday defended a decision by a conservative -led government to prevent financial assistance for civilian maritime rescue organizations working in the Mediterranean Sea.
The decision has criticized the opposition Green Party, which warned that it would already wear a serious humanitarian crisis.
What Berlin has said about rescue funding?
Speaking at a news conference in Canada, Wadeful said that the fine was pulled “was the right decision to make the right decision.”
“Germany is committed to humanity and always wants” Wadeful said. “But I don’t believe it is the work of the Foreign Office to use the search for this type of maritime rescue,” he said.
The Ministry of Wadeful said on Wednesday that no money was paid for the migrant rescue groups in Finance Minister Lars Klingable’s new budget plans.
Under the previous alliance led by Green Party minister Analena Berbock, the German Foreign Ministry provided significant financial assistance to the NGOs involved in saving migrants from Africa to Europe.
The funding criticized the center-up Christian Democrats of Chancellor Frederick Merz, who promised to make the immigration policy difficult in May. This policy caused tension with Italy, as many rescued migrants were brought to ashes there.
For the source of a ministry, the German government last year gave € 2 million ($ 2.3 million), which was given to organizations including SOS Humanity, CI and SOS Mediteri to support rescue operations for migrants in crisis last year.
What has been criticized by this step?
C-I President Gordon Ishar, President of C Rescue NGO C-I, called the change in policy “terrible sign”.
“Now we may have to live in the port despite emergency situations in the sea,” he said.
Greens rapidly criticized the verdict.
“This step wants to spoil the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean and causes human suffering,” said Brita Hasselman, leader of the Green Parliamentary Group on Wednesday.
Edited by: Keran Burke
