The UN counts 239 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2026. Funding for global appeals fell to US$12 billion in 2025, the lowest in a decade. Germany is a major donor, but its humanitarian and development budgets are both shrinking.
Fig. 01A press statement on an airfield during an official trip. Date and place not stated in the supplied file.
A necessary distinction
Emergency aid is not development
Humanitarian assistance
Saving lives now
Food, water, shelter, medical care in acute crises
Guided by humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence
Short-term, needs-based
In Germany: budget and lead with the Federal Foreign Office
and
Development cooperation (BMZ)
Building resilience
Food systems, health systems, jobs, basic services
Agreed with partner governments and institutions
Medium to long term
“Transitional development assistance” bridges the two in crises
The humanitarian–development nexus (with peace often added as a third element) describes coordinating both, so that people do not remain dependent on emergency aid for years. The BMZ budget line for crisis management is the part of her ministry closest to humanitarian work. The 2027 draft cuts it from €710.8 million to €434.9 million.
Crisis files
Where the nexus is tested
Figures are from UN agencies, and statements from official German sources. This site deliberately uses no graphic imagery of suffering.
Crisis 01
Sudan
Scale
33.7 million people in need, the highest of any country. Nearly 14 million displaced, 9.1 million of them inside Sudan (OCHA plan 2026).
Her statements
On visiting the African Union in December 2025: “Der Krieg verursacht aktuell die weltweit schwerste menschliche Katastrophe, unterstützt durch Waffen und Gelder externer Akteure.” (The war is currently causing the world's worst human catastrophe, supported by weapons and money from external actors.)
Parliament
She spoke in the Bundestag Sudan debates of 7 November 2025 and 20 May 2026, arguing that supporting neighbouring countries also serves German interests. The AfD called this “reine Geldkofferdiplomatie” (pure suitcase-of-cash diplomacy). The Left criticised German ties with the UAE and demanded a halt to arms exports.
Money
At the Berlin Sudan conference (15 April 2026) Germany pledged €232 million, of which €20 million came from the BMZ.
Crisis 02
Gaza
Early recovery
August 2025: modular transitional shelters announced, initially for 400 families, dependent on a ceasefire. October 2025: “at least €200 million” in immediate aid, which she said came from funds already in the budget. July 2026: €66.5 million in new funds via the Palestine Donor Group.
Her position
“Für mich steht fest: Über die Zukunft Gazas darf nicht ohne die Palästinenserinnen und Palästinenser entschieden werden.” (For me it is clear: the future of Gaza must not be decided without the Palestinians.) 25 Aug 2025. In the same statement she condemned Hamas and called for the release of the hostages.
Debate
Her Gaza statements have also been criticised; see Criticism.
Crisis 03
Hunger
Scale
673 million people were hungry in 2024 (8.2 per cent of the world population), and 2.3 billion were moderately or severely food insecure (SOFI 2025).
Policy
Food security is the first priority of the 2026 reform plan. Even so, the 2027 draft cuts the food systems budget line from €259.4 million to €173.2 million.
Crisis 04
Funding gap
Global
OCHA's 2026 appeal seeks US$33 billion to reach 135 million people, with a prioritised US$23 billion. Total DAC aid fell by an estimated 23.1 per cent in 2025.
Germany
Federal humanitarian aid (Foreign Office) was planned at about €1.1 billion for 2026, compared with €2.2 billion in 2024. On 11 June 2026 the Greens tabled a motion calling for €3 billion; it was referred to committee.
