The Federal Minister for Development Cooperation, Reem Alabali Radovan, has acknowledged that airdrops of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip offer only limited assistance. Speaking in an interview, she stated that while the airlift represents a “drop in the ocean” participating alongside Jordan, France and the United Kingdom was the correct response to a request from the German government.
Minister Radovan strongly urged the Israeli government to permit the entry of humanitarian aid via land routes, emphasizing the capabilities of UN organizations to provide essential support to the population. She described the humanitarian situation within Gaza as “heartbreaking” and the prevalence of hunger as “unacceptable.
Highlighting the need for forward-looking planning, Radovan stressed the importance of addressing what will happen after any potential ceasefire and ensuring a sustainable future for Gaza. She explicitly rejected any plans that could foresee the displacement of Palestinian residents.
Prioritizing a durable ceasefire, the Minister affirmed her ministry’s commitment to providing immediate on-site support once achieved, drawing on expertise gained in areas of energy and water infrastructure, particularly through recent experiences in Ukraine.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently announced that Minister Radovan would be coordinating with partner countries, including Egypt, to prepare for a reconstruction conference. Radovan aims to position development aid as a crucial element of both crisis prevention and security.
Despite currently accepting budget reductions as part of the ongoing coalition agreement, the Minister expressed concern that resources may become insufficient given the escalating number of global crises and conflicts. This year, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is facing a reduction of approximately one billion euros, with further cuts planned for the coming years.
The international development cooperation sector is additionally facing increased pressure following the cessation of operations by the US development agency, USAID. A recent study published in “The Lancet” indicates that without closing the funding gap created by USAID’s closure, over 14 million additional deaths, including 4.5 million children, could occur by 2030.