Germany will halt funding for Mediterranean migrant rescue missions, redirecting aid to conflict-hit regions like Sudan, in a move critics warn will worsen the humanitarian crisis at sea.

Germany announced it will no longer financially support NGOs conducting sea rescues of migrants in the Mediterranean, saying it will instead allocate resources to addressing the root causes of migration in crisis-affected regions.

For decades, thousands fleeing conflict and poverty have attempted the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean toward Europe. Many perish en route, highlighting the stakes of these rescues.

At a press briefing, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul defended the decision, stating that while Germany remains committed to humanitarian values, sea rescue operations should not be the responsibility of the Foreign Office.

"We must focus our efforts where the humanitarian needs are most urgent," he said, citing the crisis in Sudan as a priority.

Germany had been contributing approximately €2 million ($2.34 million) annually to non-governmental organisations involved in sea rescue operations — funding that was introduced under the previous centre-left government. For charities like Sea-Eye, which says rescue missions have saved 175,000 lives since 2015, the government support accounted for roughly 10% of their total income.

With the shift in government following February's election, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative leadership has prioritised stricter migration controls — a stance that helped them secure electoral victory amid rising concerns over migration and the growing popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), now the second largest party in the Bundestag.

Despite a decline in overall migration figures in recent years, many German voters remain uneasy. However, experts argue that migration flows are largely driven by worsening conditions in origin countries, not policies in destination nations.

Nevertheless, some officials contend that sea rescues may inadvertently encourage risky crossings. Gorden Isler, chair of Sea-Eye, warned the funding cut could leave rescue ships docked despite emergencies. “Government support enabled more missions and saved lives. Without it, we may be forced to remain in port.”

The opposition Greens — who oversaw the Foreign Office when the funding programme began — condemned the move. "This will only deepen the suffering and worsen the humanitarian situation," said Britta Hasselmann, co-leader of the party's parliamentary group.

Copied