Namibia strives for integration of refugees on World Refugee Day
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security marked the day under the global theme "Solidarity with Refugees" at the Osire Refugee Settlement in the Otjozondjupa Region.
Namibia currently hosts 6,582 refugees and asylum seekers, with the majority residing at the Osire Refugee Settlement, located approximately 225 km from the capital, Windhoek.
"This number may vary over time due to factors such as new arrivals, voluntary repatriation, and changes in legal status," Etienne Maritz, executive director of the ministry, said in a public notice.
He added that most of these individuals originate from African nations, notably the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda, with others arriving from countries like South Sudan, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.
"Namibia follows a welcoming and inclusive refugee policy, offering access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment," he said, reiterating that the nation aims to integrate refugees into its broader social and economic systems.
Through the Osire Refugee Settlement, the Namibian government, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other partners, continues to provide vital support to displaced persons seeking refuge within the country, he highlighted.
Observed globally on June 20, World Refugee Day honors the courage and perseverance of millions of refugees worldwide.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
Documentary on Lisbon Maru rescue premieres in Hong Kong
HONG KONG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- A premiere ceremony for the documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" was held in Hong Kong on Sunday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The documentary was based on true stories of the Pacific War. In October 1942, the Japanese army requisitioned a cargo vessel "Lisbon Maru" to carry more than 1,800 British prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong to Japan. In violation of international conventions, the Japanese army did not put any markings on the ship to indicate the POWs inside. Torpedoed by the U.S. army, the vessel sank in the waters off the Zhoushan Islands in east China's Zhejiang Province. Local fishermen risked their own lives to rescue 384 POWs under Japanese gunfire. "Hong Kong is where the story of the 'Lisbon Maru' began," Fang Li, producer and director of the documentary, told Xinhua. It was particularly significant to be able to show Hong Kong viewers the story and humanity behind the story on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, said Fang, who spent eight years making the documentary. The historical episodes in the documentary are a reminder of hard-won peace and stability, Starry Lee, a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said at the ceremony. Remembering the past will help enable Hong Kong residents, especially the younger generation, to better understand patriotism, she said. The documentary will hit screens on July 24.
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
China Focus: Experts praise China's ecological progress at Eco Forum Global
GUIYANG, July 7 (Xinhua) -- International experts attending the Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025 have praised China's progress in ecological protection and environmental governance. The forum dedicated to ecological civilization opened on Saturday in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, bringing together approximately 800 participants from around the world. It features 20 sub-forums covering key topics such as sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity conservation and environmental governance. In an interview with Xinhua, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General Erik Solheim expressed his admiration for China's "river chief" system, particularly in the eastern provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Under this system, individuals are appointed to oversee specific river sections, ensuring accountability and efficient responses to environmental violations. "That's a system which can be implemented everywhere," Solheim said. "Many cities in the developing world could look to China for inspiration." James Thornton, founder of non-profit environmental law organization ClientEarth and a professor at the University of Oxford, also commended China's strides in ecological governance. Thornton first visited China in 2014 on invitation to offer advice on the country's environmental protection legislation. He has since closely followed the country's legal progress in this area. When he returned the following year, he was impressed to learn that China had appointed many environmental judges. "That was unique anywhere in the world. At the time, there were really only a few environmental judges outside China," he said. This year, Thornton pointed to progress in the large-scale ecological restoration of the Yangtze River Basin. Once heavily polluted by rapid industrialization and urbanization, the basin is now showing promising signs of recovery. "It only took a few years, and it's already starting to work really well," he said. Gordon Watson, chief executive of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in Scotland, said that he has seen China's commitment to the "30 by 30" global goal, which aims to effectively conserve and manage at least 30 percent of the world's terrestrial, inland water, marine and coastal areas by 2030. Over the past two years, the Scottish park has been partnering with the Giant Panda National Park in southwest China's Sichuan Province to exchange knowledge on balancing conservation and human activity. "I have seen there is a lot of expertise in China's habitat and species management, and the standards are very high," he said. Watson said he was especially impressed by the modern technology deployed in China's national parks, such as infrared sensing technology and satellite coverage to monitor the movement of species like pandas and snow leopards. "China is leading in this area," he noted. "China plays a vital role as an emerging global leader in eco-civilization," Hassina Mouri, president of the International Union of Geological Sciences, said at a sub-forum of the event. "China shows a strong commitment to investing in research and promoting international collaboration in eco-civilization, and the significant progress achieved so far reflects the country's steadfast dedication and passion for the field," she added.
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Laos strengthens elephant conservation efforts in northern province
VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Authorities in northern Laos' Xayaboury province convened to evaluate the implementation of an elephant management and conservation agreement, emphasizing a vital role elephants play in local livelihoods and the importance of their continued protection. The meeting was held on Thursday and attended by provincial officials, village heads, and representatives from relevant sectors, aiming to encourage collaboration and gather insights to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement. Xayaboury province currently has 220 registered domestic elephants. Additionally, an estimated 80 to 100 wild elephants inhabit the Nam Poui National Protected Area, Lao National Radio reported on Thursday. Xayaboury province, some 170 km northwest of the Lao capital Vientiane, is known for its diverse attractions, including officially designated nature-based sites, cultural landmarks, and historical significance. The province hosts an annual elephant festival to preserve Laos' rich cultural heritage, promote elephant conservation, and boost tourism. - Xinhua
