INTERVIEW WITH NAMIBIA COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE

The care and maintenance activities for the PoC in Osire are all under AHA and the activities of the right groups under AHA are warehouse management, food distribution, transport and logistics, water and sanitation, community development, shelter, crop production and forestry, youth activities and income generation.
The protection and mixed solution services rendered under these groups are security from violence and exploitation, basic needs and essentials, community participation and self-management, logistic and operational support.
According to the plan to give higher quality service to refugees and their host communities, AHA managed to provide shelter, quality potable water, sanitation facilities, capacity building, crop production, tree planting, income generating activities, and protection from Sexual and Gender-based Violence. We also ensured that food was distributed every month.
What major challenges & problems did you face?
Major constraints were the delayed reception of the budget and exchange rate fluctuation. We managed to revise the budget and prioritize the life saving services and implemented some activities which did not require excessive funds such as trainings and campaigns. Another challenge was PoC having to collect firewood for cooking purposes when delivery of Kerosene halted due to the World Cup in South Africa. AHA managed to negotiate with the neighboring farm owners and got free wood for vulnerable groups. Additionally, we supplied charcoal for cooking for three months.
What was the biggest accomplishment while implementing the services for beneficiaries?
The biggest achievements were the commitment and loyalty of the staff to stand as one in the principles of AHA to serve the beneficiaries, the use of funds allocated for the right purpose, and the excellent audit reports we have received from year to year.
What kind of improvements have you seen in projects?
The activities planned for 2010 were continuations of those for 2009. In 2010, we managed to add new activities in agro forestry such as green house crop production, hydroponic gardening, wood lot forests and energy saving stoves. We constructed the Barack Obama Youth Centre using funds from US Embassy in Namibia and UNHCR. The youth now have a place to spend their time discussing, reading, recreating, and training.
We improved activities in each right group where we achieved less last year by recruiting a Small Medium Enterprise coordinator for Income Generating Activities. Moreover, we are in the process of constructing a Business Centre, with the fund from the US Embassy and the UNHCR, where refugees will be able to sell their products from the IGA.
Do you have any recommendations for the improvement of current and future projects?
If AHA could raise funds to add onto what the UNHCR is providing, we will be able to have sustainable activities.
Is there anything you would like to add about the Country Office?
This year, the Namibian Government and UNHCR are trying to apply the three durable solutions: Repatriation, Local Integration, and Resettlement. Several meetings were held with the Namibian Government, UNHCR, and PoCs. Angolan refugees are especially being encouraged to go back home. In October, 18 Angolans were repatriated.
AHA was also notified by UNHCR to prepare a plan for 2011 with the main focus being on local integration activities that will enable refugees to be self-reliant in all areas of human endeavors. Subsequently, the idea of hand-outs will be given less attention in favor of activities that allow people to generate their own income.