CONCORDIA, Global Responsibility, Aid Organization, Light for the World & Samaritan Association appeal to the government to quickly decide on the next three-year development program
Vienna (OTS) – “We are surprised that Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg did this Three-year program of Austrian development policy 2025 to 2027 has not yet been finalized for decision. In a nationwide process, experts from all ministries, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and civil society developed this next development policy strategy and handed it over to the ministry at the end of April. A real effort that should be worthwhile based on the experiences of the past years of crisis: These have shown that acute humanitarian aid and long-term development cooperation (DC) need regular adjustment
“, refers to Lukas Wank, Managing Director of the AG Global Responsibilityto a statement from the Foreign Ministry to the APA on June 27th.
Wank warns that Austria’s country- and topic-specific strategies and their implementation are also up in the air in the coming legislative period without a three-year program. After all, the federal government’s summer break and then the election campaign will begin shortly.
“The living conditions of people in poor and fragile countries can worsen if, for example, the responsible ministries, the ADA and the implementing NGOs are no longer able to respond to new global crises in a timely manner. It is the responsibility of the government and in particular the Foreign Minister “to ensure that Austria’s development policy remains crisis-proof and future-proof on the basis of the necessary three-year program,” Wank addressed the government.
Andreas Balog, Managing Director at the Samaritan Association
“In order to be able to act sustainably and accurately in crisis regions, we aid organizations need planning security and a national strategy that does justice to the global crises of our time. We urgently appeal to the government to decide on the three-year program before the summer break.”
Alex Buchinger, Managing Director Light for the World Austria
“16% of all people worldwide live with disabilities, more than 80% of them in countries in the Global South. In humanitarian settings, the proportion of people with disabilities rises to up to 27%. Really leaving no one behind, Austrian development cooperation must ensure that it reaches everyone. The Three-year program 2025 to 2025 contains important strategic elements for this. In order for it to be effective, it must finally be decided.”
Stefan Fritz, Managing Director of Hilfewerk International
“The three-year program enables an effective response to global crises and better project planning. It is crucial that it is decided before the summer break so that humanitarian aid and development cooperation receive the necessary status in politics.”
Bernhard Drumel, Managing Director of CONCORDIA Social Projects
“It is essential that political decision-makers at both EU and national level commit to eliminating child poverty across Europe. The three-year program provides Austrian development cooperation with the necessary framework for projects that work towards this goal is crucial for regions in Europe with extreme poverty, such as in our project countries Moldova and Kosovo.”
The AG Global Responsibility previously appealed 27. June with its member organizations Caritas Austria, Diakonie ACT Austria, Jugend Eine Welt and Südwind to the government to quickly decide on the three-year program.
Die GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY – Working Group for Development and Humanitarian Aid is the umbrella organization of 36 NGOs for international development and humanitarian aid. Our member organizations carry out 1,000 projects every year in over 120 countries around the world, contributing to a decent life for everyone on a healthy planet.
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