Children discovered begging or peddling wooden artifacts in metropolitan areas around Namibia are among the Angolan natives that the Namibian authorities have started repatriating. The southern provinces of Angola—Cunene, Huila, and Namibe—have been hit particularly hard by the worst drought in forty years, and many families have fled to neighboring countries like Namibia in search of food and jobs. As a result, many of these children are orphans.
Many children still live on the streets of Windhoek without food, shelter, or identification, which has prompted critics to question Namibia’s approach to these vulnerable children. El Niño, a weather event that disrupts regular patterns and worsens droughts and food poverty in the region, is a contributing factor to the problem.
To help these youngsters reintegrate into society with dignity, the Angolan government has pledged to work with Namibia to develop solutions. But neither government’s efforts have been sufficient to offer these kids long-term protection and assistance.
As a result of the return operations, Angola has placed the returned children in camps run by the government in Cunene region. Unfortunately, in 2021, news broke of at least six children’s deaths in these camps as a result of insufficient food and shelter. Some kids have gone back to Namibia because volunteers at these centers have brought attention to the fact that local authorities aren’t doing enough to help.
The lack of official programs that assist families in agriculture during the drought and the terrible conditions in these camps have raised worries among Angolan civil society groups, who are worried about the safety of the returning children.
Simply attempting to repatriate people is not enough, according to advocates. The government of Angola has a responsibility to provide enough housing, food, education, healthcare, and other necessities to the families of returned children. These steps are essential if Windhoek wants to keep its children off the streets and out of work as beggars and laborers.
Because of this, the Namibian government is rethinking its classification system for Angolan migrants. Activists contend that these people should be admitted as refugees under the 1969 Organization of African Unity Refugee Convention, because the drought and food insecurity in Angola have severely disrupted public order. Protective measures and proper care, particularly for unaccompanied youngsters, should be provided by Namibia until Angola can ensure suitable conditions for repatriation.
Ultimately, the situation of Angolan children in Namibia highlights the critical importance of immediate regional cooperation to protect these vulnerable groups from harm while they are in Namibia and when they return home.
