These are challenging times for aid organizations: Due to budget cuts in the billions, a significant reduction in government funding for humanitarian aid and development cooperation can be expected this year. According to the 2024 federal budget, the Federal Foreign Office will have 1.3 billion euros less at its disposal this year, while the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development will have to budget 640 million euros less (source: www.bundeshaushalt.de).
Cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office and Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is essential for us: in 2023, we received support from the two ministries for 18 projects. Whether there will be just as many this year is questionable – even though the need for humanitarian aid actually increased last year.
With a change in management, we are preparing ourselves for the uncertain future of humanitarian aid organizations in Germany: Dr. Jens Ola, formerly a member of the executive board, has taken over as Managing Director on 01.01.2024. He has clear words on the reduction in financial aid:
"The budget cut inevitably means that fewer people in need will receive help - even though the need for humanitarian aid actually increased massively last year. Savings were made in the wrong place. There should be no cost-cutting measures at the expense of humanity."
With a doctorate in economics, the Dresden-born has successfully led companies through the economic crises of recent decades in his career to date. Now he wants to use his wealth of experience as a manager and managing director to drive arche noVa's mission forward and master the challenges ahead.
Mathias Anderson, former Managing Director of arche noVa, says about the change in leadership:
"Jens Ola brings experience and skills that are invaluable to us, especially in these times. I am therefore handing over my position to him with a very good feeling and look forward to working closely with him."
Together with Frank Engel (Finance), Anderson is now Deputy Managing Director of arche noVa. He will also take over the management of the International Programs Department, where he can make optimal use of his many years of experience as a humanitarian aid worker and regional coordinator for East Africa.
Your donation is more important than ever
We hope that we will be able to implement the projects planned for 2024 despite the budget cuts. To make this possible, we are more dependent than ever on the support of donors.
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With your donation, we can continue to provide effective and sustainable aid.
