Baerbock promises help to Afghanistan: “Only the commandment of humanity counts”

After the devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Baerbock promised Afghanistan quick help. Baerbock also took stock of her Afghanistan action plan. According to this, 21,000 people in need of protection could be brought to Germany.

Helping the people in Afghanistan without supporting the Islamist Taliban regime – this is the challenge that Germany faces even after the earthquake disaster: “In moments like this, the only thing that counts is humanity towards people in need,” emphasized Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

German aid workers are also already on their way to the earthquake area, the Greens politician specifically named a team from the Johanniter. They bring technical equipment and medical help with them.

Baerbock: Aid does not go to the Taliban

Baerbock promised that further support would be made available in the coming days, without giving specific figures. It was important for her to emphasize that the aid did not go to the Taliban, but to local partners such as UNICEF or the World Health Organization (WHO).

The minister also knows that Germany is walking a fine line by providing humanitarian support while avoiding helping the Taliban at the same time: “If you’re not willing to walk a fine line, you’re closing your eyes to reality or your own responsibility. “

Many people in need of protection without a passport

Humanitarian aid and efforts to get more people in need of protection out of the country are part of an Afghanistan action plan, for which Baerbock has now taken stock: Two thirds of all those who have been accepted are now in Germany – a total of 21,000 people .

The Foreign Minister described the efforts to bring thousands more to safety as “hard work”. The main obstacles: Many of those in need of protection do not have passports. The Taliban have significantly restricted the freedom of movement of women and girls.

However, Baerbock explained that it was possible to reach an agreement with neighboring Pakistan that would open legal exit routes to Germany. However, the implementation is still pending.