From 12 May 2008 armed mobs beat, raped, robbed and killed foreigners in Alexandra township and set some ablaze. These attacks rapidly spread to the East Rand townships of Tembisa, Thokoza and Primrose, and by Sunday within the city centre of Johannesburg.Twenty two people have died and 217 people have been arrested.Islamic Relief staff who are in the country legally and their families have not escaped these well co-ordinated attacks which have grown in number and in brutality.These incidents have highlighted the serious extent to which xenophobic levels have reached, especially towards migrants from African countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Somalia, DRC and Burundi.Islamic Relief South Africa is concerned at the rising number of children and women affected by recent xenophobic attacks in Gauteng province.
To effectively use existing resources and not to duplicate relief efforts, IR is concentrating its relief efforts in Tembisa and in the City Centre of Johannesburg. IR will be focussing on the needs of hundreds of refugee women and children and is appealing for donations of baby clothes, baby food and nappies, sanitary towels, and food items.Islamic Relief Worldwide, through its forced migration programme, has provided relief assistance to hundreds of migrants and victims of xenophobic attacks, from Africa and the Asian subcontinent.
In Atteridgeville, Pretoria, more than 300 foreign migrants were assisted following xenophobic attacks during March 2008, under supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Islamic Relief also provided assistance to victims of similar attacks that occurred at the Zwelethemba Township in Worcester and Masiphumelele, Western Cape, and also in Delmas, Mpumalanga.Many analysts contend that the senseless xenophobic slaughter could have been averted a long time ago, had public representatives and the government attended to the needs of many citizens, such as creating employment, providing housing, electricity, water, sanitation, access to healthcare and education, so that 14 years after the transition to a democracy people who have been dehumanised and oppressed by under Apartheid could have their humanity and dignity restored.Poor South Africans have now directed their anger towards foreigners, who are soft targets, instead of negotiating with national and local government for better service delivery. "Lashing out at foreigners is rather like domestic violence", says Loren Landau, WITS University Forced Migration programme.
"A man who loses his job may go home and beat his wife. He'll feel better for five minutes, but in the morning his wife is bruised and he still doesn't have a job."Apart from basic food and shelter, refugees and asylum seekers require extra protection and care because they have lost their belongings, and the protection of their countries. Refugees and asylum-seekers need food, shelter, education, physical as well as social security and health care etc.Islamic Relief will be hosting a Refugee Integration Workshop in conjunction with the city of Johannesburg, to be held on Africa Day (Sunday, 25 May 2008) in Johannesburg. The event is part of ongoing efforts to advocate and enable the government in combating violence against refugees and asylum-seekers in South Africa.
Mohammed Ziyaad Hassen
Islamic Relief South Africa
Group Info
Type:
Organizations - Non-Profit Organizations
Description:
International Relief and development organisationlocal chapter of worldwide organisation. South African focus is on resource mobilisation, orphans support, HIV and AIDS, Climate Change, Forced Migration and Advocacy
Contact Info
Email:
cassiem@islamic-relief.co.za
Website:
www.islamic-relief.co.za
Office:
57 Mint Road Fordsburg Johannesburg
Street:
57 Mint Road Fordsburg Johannesburg
City/Town:
Johannesburg, South Africa
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1 comment:
These xenophobic/criminal attacks are indeed a sad indictment of our fellow South Africans... and our
Government!
Please read the following and pass on..
DON'T TOUCH MY SISTER,
DON'T TOUCH MY BROTHER
You are not powerless in the face of violence and xenophobia around you. It is not only the responsibility of government and the police to respond.
If you are horrified and saddened by the current violence, there are things you can do right now:
1. Speak with your local councillor, individually or in a group, and ensure that (s)he calls a ward meeting to condemn violence.
2. Start conversations with family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues, fellow learners and students, etc. about xenophobia and violence and about taking a public stance against it.
3. Call a meeting at your place of work and organise a discussion on the violence and on xenophobia.
4. Join your community policing forum and ensure that the CPF acts to protect foreign nationals and anyone else being threatened or targeted in your area.
5. Report any agitation or threats against foreign nationals or groups of South Africans to the police.
6. Check with police stations, community centres and churches sheltering victims of violence on what material donations are needed, and donate blankets, food and clothes, as needed.
7. Participate in any public forums you can access, including calling into talk radio shows, public meetings, writing letters to newspapers, etc.
8. Check that your foreign friends/ colleagues/ neighbours/ cleaners/ gardeners and their families are safe, and, if necessary, offer them refuge in your house.
9. If foreign nationals in your neighbourhood are likely to be targeted in their homes, organise a group of people to spend the night at their house so that a South African can open the door if someone knocks in the night asking about foreigners.
10. Encourage any public figures you know, including artists, sports persons, business people, teachers, etc. to speak out publically against racism, xenophobia and violence.
11. Do not let racist and xenophobic comments go unchallenged.
12. Pass this list on to everyone you know.
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