Also known as: UNHCR
UN agency providing refugee assistance in Namibia and managing repatriation of exiles, currently disputing allocation of 1989 repatriation funds.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues to provide humanitarian assistance through cash-based intervention programme
“Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Namibia through a cash-based intervention programme.”
No refugee status for Angolan ‘street kids’New Era
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is experiencing funding constraints globally resulting in reduced cash assistance
“However, the ministry noted that UNHCR is currently experiencing funding constraints globally, which has resulted in a significant reduction in cash assistance provided to refugees in Namibia.”
No refugee status for Angolan ‘street kids’Informanté
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees confirmed that over 100 refugees had not received due financial assistance
“The UNHCR initially confirmed these claims at the time, citing limited funding and noting that eligibility criteria had also changed.”
Ministry of Home Affairs urges refugees to complete verification or risk losing supportInformanté
UNHCR staff member in Namibia was arrested for allegedly withdrawing large sums suspected to be refugees' financial aid
“However, a staff member of the UNHCR in Namibia was later arrested for allegedly withdrawing large sums of money suspected to have been part of the refugees' financial aid.”
Ministry of Home Affairs urges refugees to complete verification or risk losing supportNew Era
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported more than 200,000 people fled Lebanon for Syria since March
“More than 200 000 people have fled Lebanon for Syria since fighting resumed a month ago between Israeli forces and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, the United Nations' refugee agency said on Tuesday.”
More than 200 000 fled Lebanon for Syria in March: UNHCRThe Namibian
A representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) informed the group that the UNHCR provided basic assistance for Namibian returnees' reintegration in 1989
“During that meeting, a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) informed the group camping at the Swapo headquarters that the UNHCR provided basic assistance to support the initial reintegration of Namibian returnees in 1989, that available donor funds were fully utilised and accounted for, and that no earmarked funds were retained by the UNHCR in Namibia, Shangingwa recounts in her statement.”
Swapo asks court to evict head office campersThe Namibian
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees referred UK as having resettled sixth largest number of refugees in world
“The UK has resettled the sixth largest number of refugees referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the world, which the Home Office said demonstrated the government's commitment to helping those genuinely in need.”
Mahmood to stop study visas from four countries due to ‘abuse'New Era
UNHCR provided no post-repatriation funds that are undistributed or available for any claim now
“the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative, Kavita Belani, said that there were no post-repatriation funds earmarked by UNHCR to be undistributed or available for any claim now.”
Swapo, UN, returnees’ debacle drags onNew Era
UNHCR states there are no post-repatriation funds earmarked that are undistributed or available for any claim now
“Speaking on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the organisation's representative, Kavita Belani, said that there were no post-repatriation funds earmarked by UNHCR that are undistributed or available for any claim now.”
Returnees knock on Swapo, UN doors … demand their moneyThe Namibian
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday that Burundi had reached a critical point amid influx of refugees
“The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday that Burundi had reached a "critical point" amid the influx of refugees and asylum seekers fleeing a surge in violence in the DRC's South Kivu province.”
Tens of thousands flee DRC to Burundi amid rebel takeover of key cityThe Ministry of Home Affairs says Angolan nationals, including children on Namibian streets, do not qualify for refugee status under Namibian law and international conventions, as they left Angola seeking socio-economic opportunities rather than fleeing persecution.
A Namibia Minute pick.
19 May 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Home Affairs says Angolan nationals, including children on Namibian streets, do not qualify for refugee status under Namibian law and international conventions, as they left Angola seeking socio-economic opportunities rather than fleeing persecution.
19 May 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Home Affairs is urging all asylum seekers and refugees in Namibia to participate in a verification exercise to confirm their status and maintain eligibility for support services. Failure to participate will result in deactivation from the system and loss of access to services provided by the Ministry and UNHCR.
8 May 2026 · Informanté →
Swapo's application to evict former freedom fighters camping at its headquarters since October was struck off the High Court roll. The move has triggered internal party divisions, with former secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana questioning whether the legal action was authorised by the central committee, while deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga says the politburo made the decision.
20 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Windhoek High Court has struck Swapo's urgent application to evict a group of people camping at the party's national headquarters since October last year off the court roll, with the judge finding it did not meet the requirements for an urgent hearing. The group, led by Matheus Nangolo, are demanding clarification about funds allegedly provided by the United Nations for the repatriation of Namibian exiles in 1989.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →
More than 200,000 people have fled Lebanon for Syria since fighting resumed in early March between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, according to the UN refugee agency. The majority are Syrians, including Syrian refugees who previously sought safety in Lebanon and are now fleeing again, along with more than 28,000 Lebanese.
1 April 2026 · New Era →
Swapo has filed an urgent application in the Windhoek High Court to evict about 50 people who have been camping at the party's national headquarters since October 2024, demanding clarity on alleged UN funds for repatriated exiled Namibians in 1989. The hearing is scheduled for 27 March after the court gave respondents time to obtain legal representation.
20 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The UK Home Office will stop issuing study visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, citing widespread visa abuse and high rates of asylum claims filed after students arrived on legitimate visas. The measure takes effect this month as part of the government's effort to control immigration, with figures showing that about 95% of Afghans who arrived on study visas subsequently applied for asylum since 2021.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Delcy Rodríguez, the new Venezuelan leader, faces pressure from US President Trump while maintaining support from her socialist base. She has agreed to oil deals with the US while continuing anti-imperialist rhetoric to keep her Chavista coalition intact, though analysts say she retains some leverage over Trump through his need to present Maduro's removal as successful.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Editors' Forum of Namibia has condemned the harassment of a Namibia Broadcasting Corporation news crew by members of the Former Refugees Repatriation Association at Swapo Party headquarters, stating that intimidation and obstruction of journalists performing their duties is unacceptable and weakens democracy.
22 January 2026 · New Era →
A meeting between government representatives and the Former Refugees Repatriation Association of Namibia (FRRAN) failed to resolve disputes over alleged UN-provided repatriation funds from 1989. The UNHCR representative stated that post-repatriation funds were not earmarked and that all assistance was fully accounted for, but FRRAN members rejected these explanations and plan to escalate their demands to the President.
21 January 2026 · New Era →
The UN Resident Coordinator has stated that the UN's role in the 1989 voluntary repatriation of Namibian exiles ended three decades ago and that all available funds were fully utilised and accounted for. The statement comes after refugees camping outside SWAPO headquarters demanded clarification on claims that N$21.7 million allocated by the UN for repatriated exiles was given to SWAPO but never distributed to beneficiaries, claims that SWAPO says it cannot substantiate with evidence.
21 January 2026 · Informanté →
The United Nations says all repatriation funds for former Namibian liberation war refugees were used and accounted for, dismissing claims of missing financial assistance from a group of over 400 returnees who have been protesting since October 2025. UN officials state the organization's role was limited to repatriation assistance, while rehabilitation and resettlement responsibility lies with the Namibian government.
20 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Hundreds of Namibian veterans who returned from exile in 1989 gathered at Swapo Party headquarters demanding answers about UN funds allegedly allocated for their distribution. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees representative stated that all donor funds from the 1989 repatriation were fully utilised and accounted for, with no undistributed post-repatriation funds remaining available.
19 January 2026 · New Era →