Humanitarian aid organisations ask PM Babiš to discuss budget cuts

Czech humanitarian aid organisations have requested a meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) over proposed cuts of CZK 746.7 million (EUR 30.8 million) to humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and support for Ukraine, the Czech News Agency reported on Tuesday evening.

In an open letter, the organisations – affiliated  with the Czech Forum for Development Cooperation (FoRS) and including ADRA, CARE, People in Need, Caritas Czech Republic, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Koridor UA – urged the government to reconsider the cuts, criticising the proposed reductions and highlighting the difficult situation in Ukraine as well as in Syria, Sudan, and Yemen.

The signatories argued that such aid is not a marginal expense but an investment in Czechia’s security, stability, and international standing, helping to prevent conflict and migration.

Babiš said he was open to meeting the organisations and that funding for some programmes will be discussed as the parliament debates the draft state budget.