Migration and food insecurity are two critical issues that deeply influence urban life in many African countries, including Namibia. While much of the focus in Namibia has been on internal migration from rural to urban areas, international migration has been steadily growing, yet it remains under-researched. With migrants arriving from countries like Angola, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, the city of Windhoek has become a melting pot of cultures and struggles, with food security being a central issue for many international migrant households.
In this blog post, we explore the findings from our research on the relationship between international migration and food security in Windhoek. We highlight how migrant households in the city often face more severe food insecurity than their local counterparts, driven by various socio-economic challenges and compounded by the urban environment of a foreign city. This analysis sheds light on the complex intersection between migration and food insecurity in Namibia’s capital.
Migration and Food Insecurity: A Growing Crisis
Across Africa, migration is often fueled by a combination of poverty, economic hardship, and food insecurity. While international migrants move to places like Windhoek in search of better opportunities, they often find themselves confronting the same issues they sought to escape—hunger and limited access to food. In Windhoek, where the cost of living is high, migrants face steep challenges in securing stable employment, housing, and adequate food supplies.
Our research shows that international migrants in Windhoek, especially recent arrivals, are significantly more food insecure than their non-migrant neighbors. Food insecurity is not only about the availability of food but also about the stability and diversity of diets. Migrant households are often unable to afford or access nutritious food, forcing them to rely on carbohydrate-heavy diets that lack essential nutrients.
The Challenges Migrants Face in Urban Namibia
Migrants arriving in Windhoek typically come from neighboring countries such as Angola and Zimbabwe, fleeing political instability, economic crises, or environmental disasters like droughts. Namibia’s political stability and relatively stronger economy make it an attractive destination for these migrants. However, once they arrive, many face obstacles in securing the basic necessities needed for survival, especially food.
Housing and employment are major determinants of food security. Migrants living in informal settlements are particularly vulnerable, with over 90% of these households classified as food insecure. Migrants in formal housing fare somewhat better, but food insecurity still affects a significant portion of this group. Employment status plays a critical role—households with heads employed in informal or casual work are almost entirely food insecure, while those in formal employment have relatively better access to food.
How Food Insecurity Affects Migrant Households
Migrant households in Windhoek are more likely to experience severe food insecurity than non-migrant households. Our data shows that over 80% of migrant households were classified as severely food insecure, compared to 66% of non-migrant households. One of the most telling indicators of this insecurity is the limited dietary diversity among migrants. The average household dietary diversity score (HDDS) for migrant households was only 2.6, significantly lower than the 3.2 recorded for non-migrant households.
The lack of dietary diversity has real consequences for the health and well-being of migrants. Most migrant households consume primarily carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, rice, and bread, with far fewer eating meat, vegetables, or fruits. This limited access to nutrient-dense foods can lead to malnutrition, particularly among children and other vulnerable household members.
Coping Strategies: How Migrants Survive
In the face of such challenges, migrant households often rely on a range of coping strategies to make ends meet. Many reduce the number of meals they consume, with some going entire days without eating. Migrants frequently skip breakfast and make do with basic staples like rice or bread for other meals. Additionally, migrant families often pool resources within their social networks to buy food, but this only goes so far, especially when everyone in the network is struggling.
Migrants also rely heavily on informal work, such as selling goods in markets or doing piecework. However, informal work is notoriously unstable, with little guarantee of consistent income, making it difficult to plan for food needs. The uncertainty of income means that even when migrants manage to find work, they often cannot ensure adequate food supplies for their households over the long term.
Housing: A Key Determinant of Food Security
One of the strongest factors influencing food security for migrants is the type of housing they live in. Migrants in formal housing are more likely to be food secure than those in informal settlements. Informal housing, which includes makeshift dwellings without reliable access to basic services, is a key indicator of vulnerability. Migrants living in these conditions often lack access to clean water, sanitation, and food storage facilities, further exacerbating their food insecurity.
Our research found that migrant households living in informal housing had a much higher likelihood of food insecurity than those in formal housing. The odds of being food insecure for migrants in informal housing were nearly seven times higher than for those in formal housing. This highlights the critical role that adequate housing plays in ensuring food security for migrant families.
Food Security and Income Inequality
Income inequality is another major driver of food insecurity among migrant households in Windhoek. Households in the lowest income brackets are almost universally food insecure, with 100% of households earning less than N$700 per month struggling to meet their basic food needs. In contrast, food security improves as household income increases, but even households in higher income brackets are not entirely immune to food insecurity.
The link between income and food security is straightforward: with higher incomes, households can afford to buy a greater variety of foods, including healthier options like meat, vegetables, and dairy products. However, for many migrants, achieving a stable income is a significant challenge, particularly given the barriers they face in securing formal employment.
The Importance of Social Capital
One of the key findings from our research is the role that social capital plays in mitigating food insecurity among migrants. Recent arrivals, who lack established social networks, are at a much higher risk of food insecurity than those who have been in Windhoek for several years. Migrants who have lived in the city for longer periods often build connections with fellow migrants or local residents, which can help them find jobs, secure housing, and access food.
However, for recent migrants, the lack of these social ties can be a major obstacle to achieving food security. Without a network of support, new arrivals must navigate the challenges of urban life largely on their own, increasing their vulnerability to food insecurity.
Addressing the Food Insecurity of Migrants
The nexus between international migration and food insecurity in Windhoek is complex and multifaceted. While migrants come to the city seeking better lives, they often find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty and food insecurity. Our research shows that migrant households are more vulnerable to food insecurity than their local counterparts, particularly when they lack stable housing, formal employment, and social capital.
To address these challenges, policymakers must focus on improving access to affordable housing, creating more formal employment opportunities for migrants, and strengthening social safety nets. By addressing the root causes of food insecurity among migrant households, Windhoek can become a more inclusive and food-secure city for all its residents—both local and migrant.
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