German government cuts funding for civilian sea rescue – NADIR continues to sail!

We have used part of the funding to date to maintain the NADIR and optimize the ship’s equipment, for example for improved camera technology to search for boats in distress at night. In this way, we have used the funds with foresight to equip the NADIR sustainably for the requirements on the escape route and to continue to provide reliable and effective emergency aid for refugees in distress at sea.

A political indictment that costs human lives

The German government pretends that it cannot find 2 million euros for civilian sea rescue, while billions are being spent on arming the Bundeswehr and the NATO countries have decided on a 5% target for defense spending. But those who save human lives go away empty-handed.

The absurd thing is that it is actually the task of the EU and its member states themselves to provide emergency humanitarian aid. We wish that we no longer had to do this necessary work – not because of a lack of funding, but because there are legal escape routes for people in need, European states are living up to their responsibilities and the causes of flight are being tackled in such a way that people no longer feel compelled to leave their home countries.

Instead, the new German government is adopting right-wing narratives that state that civil sea rescue would support irregular migration and smuggling. These unfounded accusations have long been refuted. The bitter truth is that less funding for civilian sea rescue will not lead to fewer people in need risking the escape across the Mediterranean, but will only mean that more people will not survive the journey.

Between fixing and funding pressure: We are fighting back with legal action and NADIR is back on track!

The arbitrary arrest of NADIR by Italian authorities and the cancellation of funding with criminalizing justifications show the increased pressure on our humanitarian work. Despite all the hurdles, we remain active: we are taking initial legal steps to defend ourselves against the unlawful arrest and a possible fine, about which we are still being kept in the dark. We have mastered the operational circumstances and the next crew is already back on the escape route with the NADIR. We are determined to continue our commitment and stand up for people seeking protection and their right to freedom of movement.