Hunger-escaping Angolans implored to return home
TUYEIMO HAIDULA
EEMBAXU
The Angolan government this week asked its nationals - who flocked to Namibia in March as a result of the drought - to return home so they can be assisted.
Cunene provincial governor Gerdina Ulipamwe Didalelwa on Tuesday told a gathering at Billy Mwaningange Rural Development Centre at Eembaxu in the Ohangwena Region that illegal migrants in the country will be requested to return back home to Angola so their government can tend to them.
She was speaking during a consultative meeting with Ohangwena governor Walde Ndevashiya, Omusati governor Erginus Endjala and other stakeholders on how to resolve issues that involve people living along the border and who move between the two countries.
Namibian Sun previously reported about Angolan nationals sneaking into Namibia through the Calueque/Omahenene and Oshikango border posts to seek refuge after the prolonged drought in their country.
“We know that it is not easy to resolve because the problem that brought [the migrants] to Namibia is still existing. The government decided it’s better to go back home. It’s easier to assist them from inside than outside because of the closed borders,” Didalelwa said.
According to her, they had a meeting with the two governors in Lubango last month and, at the time, 150 Angolan nationals were staying in Ohangwena, while 1 250 had flocked to Omusati. These, she said, are the people the Namibian government managed to record as there might be others who entered the country illegally.
Not easy, but doable
“Taking them back home is not an easy task, but it’s doable. I want to wholeheartedly thank the support the Namibian government and its people gave the Angolan people. Let’s work together to find ways to resolve the problems of our people,” she said.
Didalelwa added that, at first, they heard their people are in Namibia in search of jobs, and later established that the migration was because of the water and food crisis in Angola. She said 590 000 people in that country are affected by the drought.
On Tuesday, Didalelwa - accompanied by Endjala and Ndevashiya - met with Angolan nationals residing in Onghalulu village in the Okongo constituency to inform them that their government has requested them to go back home.
She said there are three centres for displaced people affected by the drought in Angola, with 350 migrants currently at Santa Clara, 120 at Kahama and 620 at Calueque.
She indicated that they care for their people and intend to provide them with assistance as per their needs.
Borders still closed
Didalelwa also mentioned that they resolved to keep borders closed due to the high number of Covid-19 cases in Angola, with 16 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.
"We have agreed to have the borders closed until the situation normalises.”
To date, Angola has recorded a total of 30 787 cases, 25 995 recoveries and 677 deaths.
Ndevashiya said the issue of illegal border movement is not new and cannot easily be eliminated, but can be minimised.
He said all issues discussed will be taken up by the relevant governments to solve the situation amicably and at the best interest of citizens of both countries.
– [email protected]
EEMBAXU
The Angolan government this week asked its nationals - who flocked to Namibia in March as a result of the drought - to return home so they can be assisted.
Cunene provincial governor Gerdina Ulipamwe Didalelwa on Tuesday told a gathering at Billy Mwaningange Rural Development Centre at Eembaxu in the Ohangwena Region that illegal migrants in the country will be requested to return back home to Angola so their government can tend to them.
She was speaking during a consultative meeting with Ohangwena governor Walde Ndevashiya, Omusati governor Erginus Endjala and other stakeholders on how to resolve issues that involve people living along the border and who move between the two countries.
Namibian Sun previously reported about Angolan nationals sneaking into Namibia through the Calueque/Omahenene and Oshikango border posts to seek refuge after the prolonged drought in their country.
“We know that it is not easy to resolve because the problem that brought [the migrants] to Namibia is still existing. The government decided it’s better to go back home. It’s easier to assist them from inside than outside because of the closed borders,” Didalelwa said.
According to her, they had a meeting with the two governors in Lubango last month and, at the time, 150 Angolan nationals were staying in Ohangwena, while 1 250 had flocked to Omusati. These, she said, are the people the Namibian government managed to record as there might be others who entered the country illegally.
Not easy, but doable
“Taking them back home is not an easy task, but it’s doable. I want to wholeheartedly thank the support the Namibian government and its people gave the Angolan people. Let’s work together to find ways to resolve the problems of our people,” she said.
Didalelwa added that, at first, they heard their people are in Namibia in search of jobs, and later established that the migration was because of the water and food crisis in Angola. She said 590 000 people in that country are affected by the drought.
On Tuesday, Didalelwa - accompanied by Endjala and Ndevashiya - met with Angolan nationals residing in Onghalulu village in the Okongo constituency to inform them that their government has requested them to go back home.
She said there are three centres for displaced people affected by the drought in Angola, with 350 migrants currently at Santa Clara, 120 at Kahama and 620 at Calueque.
She indicated that they care for their people and intend to provide them with assistance as per their needs.
Borders still closed
Didalelwa also mentioned that they resolved to keep borders closed due to the high number of Covid-19 cases in Angola, with 16 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.
"We have agreed to have the borders closed until the situation normalises.”
To date, Angola has recorded a total of 30 787 cases, 25 995 recoveries and 677 deaths.
Ndevashiya said the issue of illegal border movement is not new and cannot easily be eliminated, but can be minimised.
He said all issues discussed will be taken up by the relevant governments to solve the situation amicably and at the best interest of citizens of both countries.
– [email protected]
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