Berlin, Jun. 25, (dpa/GNA) – The German government is no longer funding civilian sea rescue efforts in the Mediterranean.

The 2025 budget approved by the German Cabinet earlier this week includes no funding for civilian aid organizations such as Sea-Eye, SOS Humanity, Sant’Egidio and others, the Foreign Office confirmed on Wednesday.

In previous year, Germany has provided up to €2 million ($2.3 million) per year in government funding for sea rescue organizations helping to save migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean.

The last budget included €900,000 for five organizations.

Sea-Eye condemned the budget cut on Wednesday, warning that its rescue ships may no longer be able to operate despite ongoing maritime emergencies.

“For 10 years, we have been filling the gap in the Mediterranean that should actually be filled by European states – including Germany,” explained the organization’s chairman, Gorden Isler.

A Green member of the European Parliament, Jamila Schäfer, told dpa that cancelling the funding would not lead to less migration, but it would make escape routes more deadly.

Sea rescue is not a luxury, but a humanitarian duty, she argued. “We pay a fire brigade to save lives on land. We shouldn’t let people drown at sea either.”

The 2025 budget, which also includes a significant cut in Germany’s development aid, still requires approval in the German parliament.

GNA

PDC