KfW statement / Markus Lanz Show dated 19 March 2025

In the Markus Lanz Show broadcast on 19 March 2025 on the German broadcaster ZDF, a claim was made that German Development Cooperation educational projects providing lessons for Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are not taking place. The reason given was the Lebanese government’s lack of interest in integrating Syrian refugees. It was said that absolutely no one from state development cooperation would check into whether lessons actually take place.

The correct information is: KfW has been supporting lessons for Syrian children in Lebanon on behalf of the German Federal Government since 2014. Currently, around 111,000 Syrian pupils attend public schools. Regular checks are carried out in the classrooms on site during the lessons.

Lebanon has taken in the highest number of Syrian refugees at 1.5 million. And they are doing this with a population of 4.5 million.

In addition, as regards the support for the cycle paths in Peru, it was criticised that a second loan was granted despite the total ineffectiveness of the first loan, which only built five kilometres of cycle paths.

The correct information is: KfW is financing the expansion of the metro in the Peruvian metropolis that is home to 11 million people on behalf of the German Federal Government. The expansion of cycle paths is only a small part of the comprehensive transport concept. Nevertheless, the cycle path network contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and environmental issues and enables poorer populations to participate more in social and economic life through affordable mobility. Germany is subsidising the cycle paths in Lima, which also lead to a metro line, with EUR 20 million. For the project, Germany committed further funds in the amount of EUR 24 million in 2022 to support the expansion of cycle paths in other cities in Peru. In an integrated transport system, these will serve as feeders to express bus stations, for example.

A number of European and German companies are involved as subcontractors and suppliers in the Lima metro expansion project. Several German companies received contracts for the project amounting to around EUR 100 million. This also secures jobs in Germany.

Further information on this can be found on the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) page (link in german) Sustainable Mobility in Lima | Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

It was also alleged that pipes from KfW projects intended for water supply in the Gaza Strip were used for rocket construction.

The correct information is: We do not currently have any knowledge or information that materials used in cooperation with the UNRWA Refugee Agency was misused as part of the projects financed by KfW. The import of materials was coordinated together with the Israeli authorities and the correct use was closely monitored.