Also known as: UNHCR
UN agency involved in refugee repatriation and assistance in Namibia, responding to 1989 repatriation fund disputes and current displacement crises.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The 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 Namibian
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has registered 23,800 Rohingya refugees in India
“There are 23,800 Rohingya refugees in India registered with the UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency.”
‘India put us on the boat like captives – then threw us in the sea'Residents of the Osire refugee settlement say families are forced to consume maize meal distributed close to or past its expiry date, with limited quantities making it impossible to finish before spoilage. The community has raised concerns about irregular food distributions and shortages to the Legal Assistance Centre.
14 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Residents of the Osire refugee settlement say families are forced to consume maize meal distributed close to or past its expiry date, with limited quantities making it impossible to finish before spoilage. The community has raised concerns about irregular food distributions and shortages to the Legal Assistance Centre.
14 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
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 →