Federal government plans: support for traumatized refugees to be cut by 60%

Save, save, save. This stipulation by Finance Minister Christian Lindner runs through the entire federal government’s draft budget – and ultimately hits those who have fled to Germany from war, persecution or other suffering the hardest.

60% cut in psychosocial support for traumatized refugees. People who have experienced war, persecution, torture or sexual violence are affected by the consequences for the rest of their lives. Their support is to be cut from 17 to 7 million euros.

“Every week, due to our limited capacities, we have to decide who we can and cannot take in. In the knowledge that many of those we don’t take in won’t find any other care and therefore won’t recover in the foreseeable future, won’t learn German and won’t be able to participate in society.

Reducing the already scarce capacities even further is grossly negligent.”

EIKE LEIDGENS
MEDICAL REFUGEE AID BOCHUM

30% cut in migration counseling

In other words, advice on language courses, qualifications, residence permits, etc. – Everything you need if you have just come to Germany. Skilled workers, for example, also benefit from this – so cutting back would also jeopardize the goals of the Skilled Immigration Act that has just been passed.

50% reduction in asylum procedure advice independent of authorities

These consultations make procedures fairer and people are not left alone during complicated bureaucratic steps.

In the coalition agreement, the federal government promised to secure or even increase these funds. It was obviously clear how important these positions are for refugees. They also form the basis for a functioning immigration system – without them, any integration or participation becomes much more difficult.

The budget has not yet been decided. We call on the government factions in the Bundestag to oppose these cuts and to keep their promise to protect people from further harassment in the German reception system.