The migration crisis stemming from Afghanistan to neighboring countries triggered by the Taliban takeover is “not an acute topic at the moment,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Following a meeting in Berlin between the leaders of the G7 countries, which bring together seven leading industrial powers, the chancellor emphasized Germany’s readiness to work with refugees in neighboring countries, including Iran, if necessary.
She said Germany had suspended development programs in Afghanistan, but the UN had decided to continue working with some of its staff and local helpers.
“Therefore, UN organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), must now be supported and, above all, ensure that Kabul Airport can function as a civilian airport, otherwise they will not be able to bring relief supplies such as medicines to the country,” Merkel said.
She also pointed out that Germany would provide €100 million in immediate aid for humanitarian aid and an additional €500 million for similar expenses.
Most European countries, however, are either reluctant to take in further migrants, or have outright refused to do so. Even before the recent crisis, at the end of 2020 there have already been 2.8 million Afghan refugees in other countries in the world, the second largest national group of displaced people, after the estimated 6,8 million Syrians, according to UNHCR data.
Title image: German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (MTI/EPA/Getty Images/Omer Messinger)
