Terre des Hommes criticizes planned savings on the Afghanistan recording program
Osnabrück/Berlin, July 17, 2024 - Today, the government draft for the Federal Budget 2025 is presented. It was announced in advance that massive cuts are planned for the recording program for Afghanistan. That would be the end of hope for thousands of people in need of protection. Together with numerous organizations, the children's rights organization Terre des Hommes appeals to the federal government to increase the funds instead of shortening.
»The recording program is a lifeline and hope for thousands of endangered people. A reduction in funds would take many of them the last chance of a safe life, «says Joshua Hofert, board spokesman for Terre des Hommes. »Former project employees of Terre des Hommes are also threatened. They have campaigned for girls and women, protected them from forced marriage, enabled them education, training and income and are therefore in danger. Because since Taliban's takeover of the Taliban, girls have only been allowed to attend school up to the sixth grade. «
In view of this situation, it is unacceptable that the number of admission is far behind the promises, including because of the personnel and funds. Now the funds for the program should be shortened to just 13 percent compared to the previous year. From October 2022 to mid -July 2024, only 533 people came to Germany via the program. Since the Taliban took over the takeover, Terre des Hommes has supported the admission of endangered persons. 85 former project employees and relatives could be evacuated to Germany, numerous other endangered people are in the admission process and are waiting in Pakistan or Afghanistan for an exit option.