A government health facility in the Osire Refugees Camp in the Otjozondjupa region only has five nurses, two health assistants, one tuberculosis promoter, and a pharmacist for about 7 000 residents.
The facility further lacks a doctor, medical supplies and equipment as well as housing for staff.
UNHCR Representative for Namibia Monique Ekoko said nearly 7 000 refugees and asylum-seekers have sought refuge at the settlement currently.
“While basic shelter, education and healthcare services are provided by the Namibian government and the UNHCR, opportunities for livelihoods are slim,” she highlighted in a joint assessment mission report commissioned by the World Food Programme and the refugee agency.
The report - published last month – assessed to fully understand the experiences of refugees in terms of food security, nutrition and livelihood opportunities.
“The report findings are quite alarming, as it highlights that nine in 10 households are unable to meet their livelihood needs, and half of the refugees surveyed are unable to meet their basic food needs. Without urgent support, refugees in Osire risk exposure to even more critical levels of poverty and hunger,” Ekoko stated.
She said with improved targeted support, the population of Osire can become less vulnerable to the effects of food insecurity and climate change.
“Access to self-sufficient and sustainable food production as well as meaningful livelihoods will enable refugees and the communities that host them to look forward to a brighter future,” she highlighted.
World Food Programme (WFP) country director Fedha George said they are committed to evidence-generation for decision-making, especially when it comes to finding sustainable solutions for food and nutrition security.
“The outsider refugee population, like many other refugee communities, faces unique challenges in their quest for food and nutrition security. It is our firm belief that by conducting research studies such as this, we can gain a deeper understanding of these challenges and identify innovative solutions which can be implemented in both the short and long- term,” he stated.
George said he understands the importance of data-driven approaches in shaping policies and interventions that have a lasting impact on the lives of populations exposed to vulnerable situations.
The report further indicates that the refugees receive fuel/Karosine, laundry soap, maize flour, vegetable oil, salt, sanitary pads, soya beans and sugar.
“Other than humanitarian assistance, most households access their main stables through market purchase and exchange assistance from relatives, and through their own production. Refugee households are more likely to experience food shortages than Namibian citizens. They are also more likely to alter their consumption patterns to cope by limiting the frequency of meals and reducing portion sizes,” the report added. A refugee onion farmer, Simba Theoneste, began growing the vegetables in 2021 to support his family. He grows onions on a rented plot of land outside the settlement, and employs about 45 mainly female workers. He said his biggest challenge has been water for irrigation. Besides that, he has the opportunity to sell his produce to supermarkets and other vendors in nearby towns like Otjiwarongo.
Overall, the integrated food security phase classification (IPC) shows that in the period from July to September 2023, 579 000 people in Namibia (22% of the population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, and require urgent action to reduce food gaps and protect livelihoods.
Only two regions, Erongo and Khomas are classified in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed), and in need of action for livelihood protection, while the remaining 12 regions are classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). Namibia’s deteriorating food security is mainly driven by climatic and price shocks, economic decline and unemployment.
- psiririka@nepc.com.na