Struggling with Refugee Costs, Local Governments Call for Action
In anticipation of the high-level migration policy meeting in Berlin on Monday, the municipalities in Baden-Württemberg are once again pleading for immediate solutions to ease the financial strain of housing and caring for refugees. "It's high time for decisive action from politicians," says Steffen Jäger, President of the Baden-Württemberg Municipal Association, to the German Press Agency in Stuttgart. "We can't afford another round of delays and negotiations."
On Monday, Minister Presidents of the federal states will convene with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in Berlin. The main agenda will revolve around addressing the influx of immigrants. The federal states are pressing for monetary aid and more control from the federal government, reiterating their stance in a joint resolution issued in October. Among their demands are a flat annual payment of 1.25 billion euros from the federal government and at least 10,500 euros per migrant per year.
"It's been half a year since our last joint conference, and little progress has been made," laments Jäger. "Many of the promises from May still remain unfulfilled and untackled." From the municipalities' perspective, prompt action is crucial, states Jäger. "Politicians must take decisive action and implement solutions swiftly." Otherwise, there's a risk of societal overload and a decline in public acceptance.
Last week, Jäger voiced his concerns at an event organized by the Gemeindetag (Association of Municipalities) that the reception capacities in municipalities have been stretched to their limits, and integration resources are at capacity. Since 20 months ago, Baden-Württemberg's cities, municipalities, and districts have welcomed over 220,000 refugees.
As local authorities in Baden-Württemberg continue to express concern over the financial burden of accommodating and caring for refugees, they're looking for immediate solutions to expedite implementation without further delays. This week's meeting between Minister Presidents and the Federal Chancellor offers a hope for increased financial assistance and improved governance from the federal government.
Adapted from the base article
The federal government could explore the following options to alleviate the financial burden and expand funding for refugee accommodation and care in Baden-Württemberg:
- Invest More Funds: Allocating additional funds through channels like the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) investment and development bank, which has a history of funding humanitarian aid projects, such as infrastructure repair and maintenance in Ukraine.
- Enhance Integration Services: Empowering integration services, such as language courses, education, and job training, could expedite refugees' self-sufficiency and decrease the local authorities' financial burden.
- Rethink the Asylum System: Reevaluating the asylum system to streamline legal processes could help manage municipalities' resources more efficiently. Implementing mechanisms to expedite rejected asylum applicants' legal processes could address resource allocation more effectively.
- Boost Social Benefits: Providing higher social benefits to refugees, similar to those offered in Denmark, could encourage voluntary departure and reduce the financial strain on municipalities.
- Promote Mental Health Care: Enhancing funding for psychotherapeutic care is essential, given the high number of refugees suffering from trauma. Comprehensive healthcare services for refugees could be supported using more federal funding.
- Work Closely with Municipalities: Collaborating closely with municipalities in Baden-Württemberg to recognize their specific needs and challenges could help tailor support measures more effectively, ensuring resources are appropriately allocated.
By implementing these strategies, the German federal government can address the financial burden and expand funding for refugee accommodation and care, as requested by the municipalities in Baden-Württemberg.
