Based on recent research in Windhoek, this paper demonstrates that it is the well established and widespread social linkages that persist between rural and urban households that are central to the ability of poor urban households to survive. Whereas informal coping mechanisms that include borrowing, piecework and credit are pervasive in rural areas of Namibia, intra-urban sources of food are poorly developed, and outside of kinship circles, social networks within Windhoek are used sparingly, even in times of greatest need. Also available from: UNICEF Namibia Information Centre, P.O. Box 1706, Windhoek. Tel: +264 61 204 6275, E-mail: gkolling@unicef.org.