The country of Namibia has been plagued by recurrent droughts, which have left crop production in decline. With the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, the region is affected by a combination of factors such as the environment and lack of medical resources. Efforts by the government to quell the drought have led to improvement and the country has seen an influx of refugees from other nations.

1. Every month in 2015, 30 new refugees entered Namibia; a lot of them fled from drought and famine in their own countries. Many are from the Great Lakes region.
2. At the same time, Namibian refugees leave the country for opportunities in South Africa and Germany. Many students seek to find more lucrative jobs internationally rather than stay in the Namibia.
3. The government of Namibia has asked many outside countries to help assist with the incoming population of refugees from various African regions. Many refugees in Namibia require nutritional support and various forms of humanitarian aid.
4. There are many Namibian refugees that are re-entering the country after being away for an extended period of time. Some returnees came back from the region of Botswana. The government of Namibia is making sure resettlement efforts go smoothly.
5. As reported, Namibian refugees were given incentives. Cash grants were given to those who relocated back into the country after being away.
6. Many Namibian refugees are escaping the country because of the financial crisis, which has hit the country hard due to environmental conditions that reduce the crop production.
7. Namibian refugees at Osire refugee camp are being registered in an electronic database and have been given identification cards. The purpose is to collect information on asylum seekers. Most refugees in the camp are from Angola.
8. Refugees and asylum seekers in Namibia are guaranteed a piece of land by the government to ensure care. They are given security and protection that is enforced and mandated.
9. Medical treatment is given to refugees in Namibia as if they were Namibian citizens. The government has made a point to present its support and prove that the refugee’s needs are crucial.
10. Despite this commitment, Namibian refugees and others from sub-Saharan regions sometimes do not receive the proper care they need from countries that have accepted asylum seekers.

In many cases, refugees enter Namibia in hopes of escaping persecution as well as drought and famine in their respective countries. Namibian refugees seek to find a better opportunity in neighboring countries and the government hopes to successfully combat recurrent droughts.

– Nick Katsos

Photo: Flickr