angolanewswire.com 2026-09-02 00:00:00

Namibia: Angolan women and children displaced by drought into Namibia are facing significant human rights abuses, according to a recent report by Amnesty International. The report highlights the lack of safe and legal migration pathways for those forced across borders by natural disasters, particularly in southern Angola, which has led to human rights impacts such as fear of arrest, detention, and deportation among displaced individuals in Namibia. According to Amnesty International, the report titled "The Drier It Gets The Longer You Have To Walk, The Deeper You Have To Dig - The Human Rights Impacts Of Drought-induced Displacement On Angolan Women and Children In Namibia" documents the severe consequences of recurrent droughts in southern Angola. These conditions have forced many to migrate to Namibia in search of safety, food, water, and essential services, often under great risk, particularly for women and children. The report emphasizes the need for Namibian authorities to adopt a rights-based approach to migration to ensure access to basic rights for those displaced by drought. The report calls for international solidarity and legal protection against refoulement for the marginalized Angolans seeking livelihoods in Namibia. Amnesty International conducted interviews between May 2024 and May 2026 with over 167 individuals, including displaced people and various stakeholders, to document these human rights impacts. The report notes that Namibian immigration laws do not currently address the realities of climate-driven displacement, leaving many Angolans in irregular status and in fear of deportation. The Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs reported that over 1,000 Angolan nationals were returned to Angola for lacking regular immigration status. Amnesty International witnessed instances where Angolan nationals, including women and children, were rounded up and returned to Angola without proper screening or information about asylum options. This raised concerns about the prohibition of collective expulsion and the principle of non-refoulement. The report further highlights the inadequate living conditions for displaced Angolans in northern Namibia, with many living in makeshift shelters and facing challenges in accessing healthcare due to fear of deportation and high medical fees. Amnesty International calls on Namibian authorities to fulfill their legal obligations by ensuring displaced Angolans can access legal protections and necessary documentation. Amnesty International also points to high-income countries' responsibilities in providing international cooperation and assistance, including climate finance, to support countries like Angola and Namibia in addressing climate change impacts. Angolan authorities are urged to invest in climate adaptation and preparedness to protect communities at risk of displacement, as gaps in early warning systems and infrastructure have exacerbated the situation. The report underscores that the true scale of drought-related displacement is unknown due to inadequate reception an d data collection systems, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address this human rights crisis.