Angolan drought drives thousands of people into Namibia

Amnesty International has released a report detailing a humanitarian crisis as drought and food shortages in southern Angola drive thousands of people, primarily women and children, into Namibia.

In provinces such as Cunene, Huíla, and Namibe, repeated climate shocks and the El Niño phenomenon have destroyed crops, killed livestock, and depleted water sources. The 2021 drought alone left 3.81 million people food insecure, while 2024 estimates suggest 1.32 million people are affected. This has forced displaced populations to migrate toward Namibian towns like Windhoek and Grootfontein in search of survival.

The report highlights that while Angolan citizens can enter Namibia without a visa for limited periods, they lack legal rights to work or long-term residency. Many migrants enter through informal crossings without documentation, leaving them with few options for regularizing their stay. Amnesty International warns that these individuals are often viewed merely as an immigration or law enforcement issue rather than victims of a devastating climate-driven displacement chain.