At the end of April, the cabinet announced in the Voorjaarsnota (Spring Statement) that it would cut 3.4 billion euros from the budget for international poverty reduction and emergency aid in the coming years. The cabinet wants to use this money to pay for the reception of asylum seekers in the Netherlands. In 2023, 19% of development money will be used for asylum reception. This rises to 29% in 2026, amounting to the large sum of €1.5 billion. This is expected to increase to 40% of the budget in 2028 (€2.5 billion). The well-known Dutch speakers think the government should invest structurally in good asylum reception instead of slowly but surely plucking the development budget.
People and areas worldwide already facing the harshest conditions are being hit extra hard by the cuts. For example, less money appeared to be available to support earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey. Or for people in Somalia who are without food due to ongoing drought.
“Stop cutting back on development. Droughts, floods, conflict and poverty are becoming more common. This calls for more development cooperation, not less.” Statement Dutch celebrities
Earlier, more than 80 directors of development organisations already called for reversing the cuts. Last week, the leaders of 24 religious and philosophical organisations, including representatives of the Council of Churches, the Contact Organ for Muslims and Government, the Dutch-Israelite denomination and the Humanist Alliance, made similar appeals to the cabinet. Now well-known Dutch individuals are also speaking out against the cuts.
On June 8, the Tweede Kamer will debate the Voorjaarsnota (Spring Statement). Development organisations hope the Tweede Kamer will call the cabinet to order and speak out clearly against the cuts.
Video statements
Video statement featuring well-known Dutch individuals and directors of development organisations:
Teaser video featuring well know Dutch people: