The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare yesterday launched a six-month national campaign to register all orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and issue them with identification cards.

The campaign will start in the Khomas Region this month.

The ministry has appointed Epupa Investment Technology, which currently manages the distribution of State grants, to carry out the registration and the issuing of the cards.

The newly appointed Permanent Secretary of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Erastus Negonga, said at the launch of the campaign that identity cards will be issued to recipients of child welfare grants.

The ministry, through its Child Welfare Directorate, is mandated to promote and protect the well-being of all Namibian children in order for them to become responsible citizens and contribute to the economic development of the country.

The government, through his ministry, provides financial assistance to orphans through maintenance, foster parent and special maintenance grants.

The number of orphans on the grant system has increased drastically, from 9 676 in 2003 to 136 833 in May this year.

Negonga said the number of orphans increases daily due to the HIV-AIDS pandemic and other problems affecting Namibian society.

Epupa Investment Technology staff will travel to all regions to register children.

Negonga urged school principals, churches and community members to give the team their support during the campaign.

Nampa