Children repatriated to Angola face danger

Namibian authorities Repatriation Angolans, including dozens of children – many of them unaccompanied – beg or sell wooden crafts in Namibian cities and towns. Many of the children come from the southern Angolan provinces of Cunene, Huila and Namibe, where The worst drought For four decades, drought has caused severe food shortages and livestock deaths. Already escaped region and crossed the border to Namibia in search of food and work.

Namibia Criticism The Angolan government is said to be not doing enough to protect the rights of children in difficult circumstances in the country. Displaced persons camps A shelter for refugees set up in Namibia. Hungry and dying children can often be seen on the streets of the capital Windhoek. No shelter or any identification documents.

El Niño is a climate phenomenon that disrupts normal weather patterns. Key drivers Drought and food shortages have caused many Angolan children to flee to Namibia.

Angolan authorities explain They are working with the Namibian government to find the best solution to “ensure the dignified reintegration of the affected children into society”, but efforts by both sides have so far failed.

In recent years, Angola Resettlement Children repatriated from a government-run refugee camp in Cunene Province, at least six children were reported Death In 2021, the camp was forced to close due to inadequate shelter and food. A camp volunteer told Human Rights Watch that many of the repatriated children ended up back in Namibia because local authorities did not provide adequate assistance. Civilized Society Groups Already warned On the risks faced by children returning to Angola, including poor conditions in camps and a lack of public policies to support family farming in the wake of the drought.

It is not enough to simply repatriate Namibian children and place them in Angolan refugee camps. The Angolan government should ensure that repatriated children and their families or guardians are provided with effective and adequate services, including shelter, food, education, health care and means of subsistence. This should be done before further repatriations so that these children do not return to begging or working on the streets of Windhoek.

1969 OAU Refugee Convention Define as refugees those fleeing “events of serious public disorder.” Namibian authorities should consider Angolans fleeing drought and food insecurity as refugees. Until Angola provides adequate conditions for returnees, Namibia should ensure protection and adequate care for unaccompanied children.