Local integration of refugees as a durable solution in Namibia

Abstract

Abstract provided by author

A refugee is defined as a person or someone who has had to leave his or her country to escape from danger or war, and seeks asylum in another country of which he is not a national or citizen. The reason for such can be owing to a well- founded fear of persecution on the reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.[1] Namibia's refugee population's stands at 8000, and the Government of Namibia, UNHCR and other involved organisations are searching for durable solutions to long-standing refugee situations, as scarce resources that are used for the neediest populations and that governments are strengthened to address emerging issues and situations of refugees. Durable solutions for refugee problems in Namibia are inter alia voluntary repatriation and local integration.[2] There is a need for clarity on the possibility of local integration of a selected number of refugees with skills and potential to contribute to Namibia's economic and social development, as they are valuable resources and should be integrated into a policy strategy to be adopted by Government

There is a need to find durable solutions to refugee problems in Namibia, because the current status quo holds financial challenges for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Government at large. Refugees who are in camps are exclusively dependent on government and the World Food Organisation for food, and other basic needs. Local integration is a viable solution so far because the refugee status is not permanent. Thus refugees who are willing to remain in the country of asylum need to be accorded another legal status and this can be either acquisition of citizenship or permanent residence. Furthermore, local integration of refugees will encourage self- sustainability and allow refugees to get jobs and generate income