Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, the spokesperson for the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), has defended the agency’s withdrawal from the conflict-ridden nation of Yemen. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, he stated that although GIZ is aware of the consequences of this withdrawal, the paramount concern was the safety of its staff, especially given the arbitrary arrests of UN personnel in the rebel areas. He emphasized that the decision, though not easy, was necessary.
Addressing the accusations of millions of euros in misappropriated funds within GIZ projects in Yemen, Schäfer-Gümbel described Yemen as an exceptional situation. He noted that GIZ had never operated for such a sustained period in what he describes as a state of ‘remote control’ elsewhere. The necessity of international staff departing was triggered by a terror attack in 2013 that resulted in the deaths of three GIZ employees. He acknowledged that under such conditions, no one is completely immune to criminal acts, stating that GIZ was aware of a fraud situation and quickly launched an investigation, which is still ongoing.
In response to the events in Yemen, GIZ has reinforced its internal regulations and heightened its control measures. This includes establishing a significantly stricter risk assessment profile, whereby countries categorized as high or dark-red risk, such as Sudan and Afghanistan, are subject to annual review. To prevent the formation of problematic structures, the rotation of staff has been increased. Furthermore, GIZ is globally digitizing its operations and implementing a new SAP system, designed to make the organization significantly less vulnerable than in the past.
Meanwhile, GIZ is also pursuing cost-cutting measures, leading to the closure of offices in both North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. Schäfer-Gümbel confirmed that by the end of 2027, the Bonn-Kottenforst site, which houses the academy, along with the Feldafing office in Bavaria, will be closed. Smaller satellite offices, like the one in Düsseldorf, have already been shut down, and the Magdeburg office is also slated to close.
Despite these closures, GIZ maintains a firm operational presence in Bonn and Eschborn. He assured that the organization remains rooted in these locations, and the other properties in Bonn will be retained and further developed. Additionally, the Foreign Office has requested that GIZ temporarily house some staff from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who are relocating to Bonn; the rental agreement for this arrangement is set to begin in August.
