Amnesty International warns of human rights abuses for drought-displaced Angolans in Namibia

Amnesty International has reported that Angolan women and children displaced by severe drought are facing significant human rights abuses in Namibia. The recurrent drought in southern Angola—specifically affecting the Cunene, Huíla, and Namibe provinces—has devastated traditional pastoral systems, forcing families to migrate north into Namibia in search of water, food, and livelihoods.

According to the report, titled ‘The Drier It Gets The Longer You Have To Walk, The Deeper You Have To Dig’, the lack of safe and legal migration pathways leaves displaced persons vulnerable to arrest, detention, and deportation. This fear of immigration enforcement often prevents individuals from accessing essential services, including healthcare.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, stated that the situation is a ‘human rights crisis that demands international solidarity’. The organization is calling on Namibian authorities to adopt a rights-based approach to migration that ensures displaced people can access registration, documentation, and legal protection against refoulement.