Namibia

SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children grow up with the care, protection and relationships they need to become their strongest selves (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Namibia).

The Republic of Namibia is a large and sparsely populated country in Southern Africa. The total population of Namibia is approximately 2.75 million and its capital city is Windhoek. Namibia is a relatively stable, middle-income country with an economy that is driven by agriculture, mining and tourism. However, the growing economy has not benefitted everyone equally. Namibia is one of the driest countries in the south of Africa, which often leads to food scarcity and malnourishment among its population. Furthermore, the HIV/AIDS epidemic presents a challenge for many Namibian families.

SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Namibia since 1984.

Children are at risk

Namibia is a very young country: one third of the country's population is under 14 years old. This is partly because Namibia has a comparatively low life expectancy, mainly due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. About 130,000 children have lost their parents and are therefore at risk of poverty and food insecurity. As they are often left on their own or even have to take care of younger siblings, many children and young people miss out on education and struggle to escape the circle of poverty. In addition, many children do not grow up properly because they do not receive enough nutritious food.
23%
Of children do not grow properly for their age

Malnourishment

Namibia is among the driest countries in the south of Africa. Frequent droughts across the country mean that crops often fail and livestock dies. As a result, food can be scarce, which is especially the case in Namibia’s rural areas. Malnourishment remains a persistent problem in the country, particularly among children. In fact, 23% of children do not get enough nutritious food, which has severe effects on their physical and intellectual development.

3 in 10
People are poor in Namibia

Poverty

Namibia is a middle-income country with a growing economy. However, unemployment is high and poverty persists, with almost 3 in 10 Namibians considered to be living in poverty. Female-headed households account for almost half of the total number of households in the country, as male life expectancy tends to be low. The income situation in these families is often precarious and in fact they make up the highest proportion of poor households in the country.

210,000
People live with HIV in Namibia

Health

Namibia is marked by a very high number of HIV/AIDS infections. Approximately 210,000 people in the country live with the disease and many families are severely affected. Of the thousands of children without parental care, the majority have lost their parents due to HIV/AIDS and lack a caring family environment. In many cases, their most basic needs are not met and they are vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour. In other cases, children have to take care of their younger siblings. Hence, they often cannot go to school.

Together we can make a difference for children in Namibia

590
Families
Can stay together
190
Children
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
240
Children
Grow up in our care
When children cannot live with their families, they find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. We care and support children and young people so that they become confident and independent. As they get older we help them develop a plan for their future (Photo: SOS Children's Villages Namibia).

Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!

Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives