Windhoek: National Unity Democratic Organisation Member of Parliament (MP), Vetaruhe Kandorozu, has called for the government to increase the vulnerable children's grant from N.dollars 350 to N.dollars 1,000. The government introduced the vulnerable children's grant in 2014 to support families in distressed financial situations.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Kandorozu, during his contributions to the 2026/27 financial year budget in Parliament recently, emphasized that the current amount of N.dollars 350 is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of vulnerable children. He pointed out the inflation rate, which has exceeded 30 percent since the fund's inception, as a critical factor that necessitates the increase.

Kandorozu highlighted the plight of children who are without both parents or are being raised by unemployed foster parents. He noted that many of these children have lost parents to car accidents, the Covid pandemic, domestic violence, and other incidents. He stressed that these children, like any other, have evolving needs and are impacted by the rising cost of living.

He further urged that all social grants, not just those for vulnerable children, should be increased, arguing that it is unfair to raise pensioners' and disability grants while neglecting the needs of children, who are considered future leaders. The NUDO MP also addressed the Swapo Party's unfulfilled promise to increase pensioners' monthly grants from N.dollars 1,600 to N.dollars 3,000, calling for its immediate implementation.

Kandorozu criticized the practice of making political promises to gain votes from elders without fulfilling them. He urged the government to reconsider its approach and deliver on its commitments.