"Rapid aid"

Government: €21.5 million for NGOs in crisis regions

Famine in Burkina Faso

(Bild: AP)

On Wednesday, the Council of Ministers approved the disbursement of €21.5 million from the Foreign Ministry's Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to Austrian aid organizations. The "unprecedented scale" of global humanitarian crises makes this "rapid and unbureaucratic" aid necessary, said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP).

Of the 21.5 million euros, 9.5 million euros will go to projects in sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Uganda), eight million euros will be made available for projects in the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) and two million euros each for projects in Ukraine, Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

Fight against illegal migration
"Our security in Europe is also largely dependent on the security and stability of our neighbors. We must therefore do everything we can to prevent illegal migration and also prevent people from making the dangerous journey to Europe in the first place," commented Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP).

Seit Monaten nehmen vermehrt indische Staatsbürger die Westbalkanroute - und landen in Österreich.

(Bild: AFP)

"Help on the ground has a double effect"
Aid on the ground in crisis regions therefore has a double effect: on the one hand, it is important to improve the living situation on the ground and alleviate human suffering and, on the other hand, it helps to curb illegal migration to Austria and Europe.

The "incendiary mix" of armed conflicts, hunger and natural disasters brought a "whole new dimension of human suffering to light", said Schallenberg. He also cited the creation of new prospects for people in need and the prevention of "illegal migration" to Europe as justification for the aid payments.

Everything must be done to prevent illegal migration and also to prevent people from making the dangerous journey to Europe in the first place.

Bundeskanzler Karl Nehammer (ÖVP)

"Valuable work"
In the press release, the Foreign Ministry also praises the "valuable work" of local NGOs, which are a "highly valued partner in providing aid on the ground". According to the Foreign Office, the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) is better filled this year than ever before: 80 million euros are available for humanitarian aid all over the world. The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) is responsible for processing the funds.

"An end to the need is not in sight"
The umbrella organization of development NGOs, AG Globale Verantwortung, welcomed the decision and emphasized the improved predictability of humanitarian missions. "There is no end to the need in sight, which is why Austria's commitment is still needed," said Managing Director Lukas Wank. The funds for humanitarian aid as well as for long-term international development and peace work must continue to be increased "in accordance with international obligations" and secured in good time for the coming years, Wank demanded.