US Army advises food bank to soldiers in Germany amid pay uncertainty – Euronews.com

Report on the Socio-Economic Impact of the US Government Shutdown on Military Personnel in Germany through the Lens of Sustainable Development Goals

Economic Hardship and Decent Work (SDG 1 & SDG 8)

A United States government shutdown has created significant financial instability for approximately 37,000 US soldiers stationed in Germany, directly challenging the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and increasing the risk of poverty (SDG 1).

• Violation of Decent Work Principles: The failure to guarantee salary payments for active military personnel represents a failure to provide decent and secure employment. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that service members may not receive their mid-November wages if the congressional budget impasse continues.
• Increased Risk of Poverty: The financial precarity of military families is acute. Data from Blue Star Families indicates that fewer than one in three military families possess savings of $3,000, making them highly vulnerable to falling into poverty (SDG 1) when faced with income disruption. The fortnightly pay cycle for US service members intensifies immediate cash flow pressures.
• Emergency Funding Measures: October salaries were secured through ad-hoc measures, including a reported $130 million anonymous donation, highlighting the instability of the current system rather than a sustainable solution for ensuring economic growth and decent work.

Food Insecurity and Basic Needs (SDG 2)

The potential loss of income directly threatens the food security of US soldiers and their families, undermining the objective of Zero Hunger (SDG 2).

1. The US Army has issued official guidance directing its personnel in Germany toward charitable and emergency aid to meet basic needs.
2. This guidance explicitly includes referrals to food banks and food sharing organisations, indicating an imminent risk of food insecurity among service members.
3. Personnel are also advised to seek emergency loans, further compounding their financial vulnerability.

Institutional Efficacy and International Partnerships (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

The situation highlights a failure of domestic institutions (SDG 16) and illustrates the role of international partnerships (SDG 17) in mitigating the subsequent fallout.

• Institutional Failure (SDG 16): The prolonged budget standoff in the US Congress demonstrates a weakness in institutional processes, with direct consequences for the welfare of personnel responsible for peace and security. The shutdown has forced civil servants into unpaid leave and created uncertainty for military staff.
• Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17): The German government has intervened to support civilian employees at US military bases, exemplifying international cooperation.
  • A loan of €43 million was provided to cover salaries for approximately 12,000 civilian workers in logistics, catering, and security.
  • This financial support is structured as a loan that the United States is obligated to repay once the budget is approved.

Access to Social Protection and Inequality (SDG 10)

The crisis exposes the inequalities (SDG 10) faced by military personnel stationed abroad, who are largely excluded from the host nation’s social safety nets.

• Exclusion from Social Benefits: US troops have severely limited access to German social protection systems.
  1. Legal experts confirm that soldiers are ineligible for citizens’ allowance as they are considered temporary residents.
  2. NATO regulations prevent German social security provisions from applying to foreign troops to avoid the duplication of benefits.
• Resulting Vulnerability: This lack of a social safety net leaves soldiers and their families to their own devices, amplifying their vulnerability compared to both German citizens and their military counterparts stationed within the United States. Limited exceptions may exist for parental or child benefits in certain cases.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article highlights the risk of poverty for US soldiers and their families due to the non-payment of salaries. The guidance directing them to “emergency social benefits, loans, food banks” indicates a sudden loss of income that pushes them into a state of financial vulnerability, which is a key concern of SDG 1.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The potential for food insecurity is a direct consequence of the salary issue. The article explicitly mentions that soldiers are being directed to “food banks and food sharing organisations where volunteers provide leftover food through public fridges,” which directly connects the situation to the goals of ensuring access to food for all.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The core issue of the article is the failure to provide timely payment for work performed. The statement that “servicemen and women who are willing to risk their lives will no longer be able to receive pay” is a fundamental violation of the principles of decent work. The government shutdown itself represents a significant economic disruption affecting workers.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The government shutdown is described as a “budget impasse between Democrats and Republicans,” pointing to a failure of effective and accountable governance. This institutional breakdown is the root cause of the financial hardship faced by the soldiers, directly relating to the goal of building effective institutions at all levels.

2. Specific Targets Identified

1. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.

   The article discusses the lack of social safety nets for the affected soldiers. It notes that “German social benefits remain largely unavailable to US troops” and that citizens’ allowance is “legally impossible for soldiers.” This highlights a gap in social protection for a vulnerable group, making this target highly relevant.

2. Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food.

   The direction for soldiers to seek help from “food banks and food sharing organisations” is a direct response to the risk of hunger and food insecurity among this vulnerable group, aligning with the objective of this target.

3. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

   The failure to pay salaries (“troops may not receive mid-month wages”) is a violation of a fundamental labor right—the right to be paid for work performed. The uncertainty and financial pressure created by the payment gap undermine the security of the working environment for these military personnel.

4. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The “longest-ever government shutdown” resulting from a “congressional budget standoff” is a clear example of institutional failure. The inability of the government to pass a budget and fulfill its basic obligation to pay its employees demonstrates a lack of effectiveness and accountability, which this target aims to address.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

1. Proportion of the population covered by social protection systems. (Implied for Target 1.3)

   The article implies this indicator by stating that “German social benefits remain largely unavailable to US troops,” suggesting that the coverage for this specific population is effectively zero, forcing them to rely on emergency aid and loans instead of a formal social protection system.

2. Prevalence of food insecurity. (Implied for Target 2.1)

   The need to direct soldiers to “food banks” is a strong proxy indicator for the prevalence or immediate risk of food insecurity within this group. It shows that their regular access to sufficient food is threatened.

3. Timeliness of wage payments. (Implied for Target 8.8)

   The entire article is centered on this indicator. Phrases like “uncertainty over November salary payments,” “troops may not receive mid-month wages,” and the fact that soldiers “will no longer be able to receive pay” directly measure the failure to provide timely and regular wages.

4. Effectiveness of government operations. (Implied for Target 16.6)

   The “longest-ever government shutdown” is a direct indicator of institutional ineffectiveness. The government’s inability to resolve the “budget impasse” and maintain its core function of paying its military personnel measures the extent of this institutional failure.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: euronews.com