Crisis prevention, humanitarian aid and new prospects in their own countries are to help persuade more people to remain rather than fleeing their homes. The German government will continue to work for this at international level too.
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The Cabinet today looked at the causes of displacement.
Africa and the Middle East are currently worst affected by refugee movements. Host countries in these two regions together take in more than two thirds of the world’s refugees.
There are many and varied reasons for displacement and irregular migration: violent conflicts, political persecution, famine, climate-related risks and population growth.
To address both acute and structural causes, the German government has stepped up its engagement in the fields of crisis prevention, humanitarian assistance and efforts to create genuine prospects of a better life for people in their own country.
Comprehensive civilian crisis prevention, stabilisation and humanitarian assistance measures are to help mitigate acute factors causing people to flee their homes, and their immediate impacts. For this the German government is to provide two billion euros this year alone.
With this funding, the German government is, for instance, stepping up humanitarian aid in the Lake Chad Region and its involvement in the implementation of the EU migration compacts in Niger and Mali. The Federal Foreign Office is engaged in targeted communication in partner countries in an effort to correct the false information circulated by human traffickers.
In the Middle East, Syria and Iraq are the focus of Germany’s engagement. This year, Germany is providing a total of 1.3 billion euros to support Syria and its neighbours, making it the largest donor in the region.
In Iraq refugees are to be enabled to return home. The German government is helping the country restore supplies of water and electric power. The German government is also supporting negotiations on a "Global Compact on Refugees".
To address the structural causes of displacement and irregular migration, the German government is expanding its political support in Africa, and promoting investments in sustainable development in country. To this end the German government expects to spend 3.5 billion euros this year.
With education for children, training for young people, and employment for adults, Germany aims to create prospects of a better future, especially in Middle Eastern states.
The German government has also provided funds to prevent climate-related displacement and migration. Especially vulnerable groups are to receive assistance to meet their basic needs and the food situation is to be improved on the spot.
Through transformation partnerships with North African and Middle Eastern states and a special initiative for this region, the German government is supporting state-building and helping affected countries strengthen their municipal structures.
The measures taken by the German government to address the causes of displacement are closely linked to global engagement for Africa at European and international level.
Within the framework of international bodies like the G20 Presidency, the G7 process and the United Nations, Germany will continue to work to ensure that the global responsibility in the field of refugee and migration policy is shared at international level. The German government will also be pushing for effective protection for refugees and for improved cooperation among countries of origin, transit states and host countries.