Germany’s Afghan Rescue Plan Under Fire for NGO Scandals

The federal scheme set up to bring Afghans to Germany has never been fully transparent and many key decisions were left in the hands of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with little oversight, according to a report by Tichys Einblick.

The programme was introduced by the previous leftist government which issued visas to Afghans at risk after the Taliban seized power in 2021.

While the initiative was intended for former local staff of the German army and other high-risk groups, internal government reports show that the system was exploited on a large scale, as the government allowed thousands of migrants to enter Germany with fake documents and fabricated stories.

By the beginning of March of this year, over 33,000 Afghans had entered Germany under the scheme, including more than 20,000 who were said to be former local staff and their families.

According to Tichys Einblick, questions still remain whether visas were granted correctly and whether criminal offenders were among those let into Germany.

The most controversial element is how the lists of Afghans to be resettled were drawn up.

Pro-migration NGOs were authorised to compile names on behalf of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Yet when AfD MP Stefan Keuter requested details of which NGOs were involved, the government refused to release the information, declaring it confidential. Germany’s constitutional court later backed this decision, ruling in April that MPs had not proven their rights were violated.

One NGO in particular has attracted controversy: Kabul Luftbrücke. Founded in 2021 by journalist Theresa Breuer and Green MEP Erik Marquardt, it quickly became one of the few groups allowed to nominate Afghans for resettlement.

At the time, Marquardt openly promoted the group, even chartering a private plane to evacuate people.

Critics say this amounted to outsourcing government authority to activists, which violates the country’s constitution. The federal police and intelligence services warned that checks were weak, making it possible for extremists to take advantage of the programme.

By 2023, the Interior Ministry suspended cooperation with Kabul Luftbrücke, saying it could not properly verify cases.

The group then changed its legal structure, formed a new company—most likely designed to hide political connections—and was able to continue its work on the resettlement programme in 2024, according to Apollo News.

Meanwhile, a separate “coordination office” set up by the government to work with NGOs was allocated €8.4 million in public funds, but the money was spent in questionable ways. The Federal Audit Office found unlawful contract awards, inflated travel expenses, and even luxury meals billed to taxpayers—including a €178 steak.

The programme has also become a political headache. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has tried to freeze it, but courts have ruled that visa promises already made are legally binding.

Around 2,300 Afghans are still waiting in Pakistan, many now suing to enforce their right to come to Germany. Just this month, 47 new arrivals landed in Hannover after months of delays.

What began as a humanitarian mission under former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock is now a symbol of poor oversight and cosy ties between government and activist groups.