A Journey with No End.
Years of drought in southern Angola have led to a migration of people in search of water and food in neighboring Namibia. The worst drought in 40 years has spread hunger across southern Angola while food prices are soaring, according to an IPC report. Testimonies from migrants describe a complete loss of their livestock and an experience of severe hunger that forced people to undertake perilous journeys for many kilometers by foot in order to cross the border to Namibia. It is estimated that 1.2 million people are facing water scarcity as a direct consequence of the drought. In southwestern Angola 1.58 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity and 114,000 children under 5 are in urgent need of acute malnutrition treatment, according to the WFP. Migrants crossing the border from southwestern Angola to Kunene and Omusati regions in Namibia have increased in numbers since March 2021 with crossing including lactating women, children, and the elderly. In northern Namibia some migrants arrive at designated areas like Etunda camp and others resettle in different locations in Opuwo. Northern Namibia is currently also experiencing below average rainfall and food insecurity and water shortages are most felt in drought-prone regions including Kunene and Omusati where migrants arrive. As of 2022 the crisis is ongoing.