The rise in criminal activity in Namibia is great – on the one hand, this is reported by the country’s newspapers; on the other hand, we experience it at the sites. Especially in the Namibian capital Windhoek the situation is critical.
Reasons for the rising crime in Namibia
After 6 years recession, a heavily indebted state with correspondingly lower government spending and many businesses that had to close or lay off some of their employees, and also tourism that has still not properly got underway, , unemployment and thus poverty has risen sharply, especially among people in the Informal Settlements has increased sharply.
Among other things, for these reasons crime in Namibia has risen sharply in recent months. By now, almost daily reports of burglaries and, unfortunately, also rapes of both minors and adult women can be read in the Namibian newspapers. These reports shock us very much, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that the young female students living alone in Windhoek can get safely to their educational institutions and back home again – and this is usually only ensured by a taxi. As even the small private taxis are becoming increasingly unsafe and requiring multiple changes, we have now commissioned a driver for the daily journeys from the shared place of residence to the various universities and educational institutions.
Crime does not stop at steps either.
Because the rise in criminal activity does not stop at steps for children either. Our female students, who study in Windhoek and have been living in the Namibian capital for over a year, are still shocked: A few weeks ago, two men broke into the 19- and 20-year-old girls’ flat and robbed them – laptops, printers, mobile phones and all the money were stolen. After this first attack, everyone was physically more or less fine; the burglary could even be reported and the burglars identified by the students. However, a renewed attempted break-in two weeks later was now a sign that they must no longer think they are safe – despite new locks, bars on doors and windows, and further security measures. Immediate arrangements were made to ensure their safety in another protected place. But the trauma remains.
Vandalism
In addition, last year we had vandalism on our project plots, so fences and walls as well as security cameras had to be installed to prevent further misuse of the site. In two projects, there was a break-in and money, computers and a laptop were stolen. Everywhere we need to strengthen our security measures, install cameras and ensure safe routes, not just for the female students.
Provide assistance
Normally, for example, transport costs to the universities are covered by the fees of the steps students. But not the driver that has now become necessary, nor the additional security measures in the projects.
A small additional contribution towards taxi costs, which are now incurred daily to guarantee the safety of the young women or to increase security measures, would, however, help.
Donate now for special safety needs.
