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Health risk warning for SA camps | Health risk warning for SA camps |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Conditions in South African shelters for victims of xenophobic violence are worsening, says the medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF). | |
MSF said it was finding cases of diarrhoea and chest infections in overcrowded shelters near Johannesburg. | |
The government is reported to be considering a response to the problem, including seven semi-permanent camps. | |
The government has said that more than 30,000 people have been displaced by the violence. | |
Aid agencies say the true number of displaced people is at least 80,000. | Aid agencies say the true number of displaced people is at least 80,000. |
Fifty-six people have been killed and more than 650 injured in the attacks, according to officials. | |
Deteriorating conditions | Deteriorating conditions |
The unrest, targeting migrants from Zimbabwe and other African countries, began near Johannesburg earlier this month. | |
MSF South Africa programme director Muriel Cornelis said conditions for displaced people sheltering in makeshift camps or outdoors were starting to become "deplorable". | MSF South Africa programme director Muriel Cornelis said conditions for displaced people sheltering in makeshift camps or outdoors were starting to become "deplorable". |
"None of the sites provide enough latrines, enough toilets, enough showers, enough access to water," she said. | "None of the sites provide enough latrines, enough toilets, enough showers, enough access to water," she said. |
"You have some portable latrines but they're not being removed or cleaned so therefore at one point people no longer use them and they use the grass." | "You have some portable latrines but they're not being removed or cleaned so therefore at one point people no longer use them and they use the grass." |
But Able Bapela, the head of a parliamentary task force, told the BBC's Focus on Africa that victims of violence were receiving "humanitarian sympathy and support". | But Able Bapela, the head of a parliamentary task force, told the BBC's Focus on Africa that victims of violence were receiving "humanitarian sympathy and support". |
Cabinet meeting | |
Aid agencies say the government will give the first sign of how it proposes to cope with the crisis after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon. | |
The agencies say seven places of safety, housing up to 70,000 people, will be established across the country. | |
SOUTH AFRICA Total population: 49mForeign population: 3-5mMajority from Zimbabwe, also Mozambique, NigeriaUnemployment rate: 30% How can S Africa end the violence?Tensions erupt in city of promise | SOUTH AFRICA Total population: 49mForeign population: 3-5mMajority from Zimbabwe, also Mozambique, NigeriaUnemployment rate: 30% How can S Africa end the violence?Tensions erupt in city of promise |
Earlier, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said more than 1,300 arrests had been made and special courts had been set up to deal with the situation. | Earlier, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said more than 1,300 arrests had been made and special courts had been set up to deal with the situation. |
South African President Thabo Mbeki has denounced the anti-immigrant violence as the worst acts of inhumanity South Africa has seen since the end of apartheid. | South African President Thabo Mbeki has denounced the anti-immigrant violence as the worst acts of inhumanity South Africa has seen since the end of apartheid. |
But the president has been criticised for his handling of the crisis, including a response which some have seen as slow. | But the president has been criticised for his handling of the crisis, including a response which some have seen as slow. |
The BBC's Africa editor Martin Plaut says academic studies have long shown South Africans to be among the most intolerant people in the world. | The BBC's Africa editor Martin Plaut says academic studies have long shown South Africans to be among the most intolerant people in the world. |
He says the feeling that foreigners are harder working and better educated than locals may have bred resentment. | He says the feeling that foreigners are harder working and better educated than locals may have bred resentment. |
Social inequality and the political domination of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could also have contributed to the frustrations that fuelled the recent attacks, he adds. | Social inequality and the political domination of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could also have contributed to the frustrations that fuelled the recent attacks, he adds. |
The troubles flared with a wave of attacks on foreigners in the township of Alexandra, within sight of some of Johannesburg's most expensive suburbs. | The troubles flared with a wave of attacks on foreigners in the township of Alexandra, within sight of some of Johannesburg's most expensive suburbs. |
They have since spread to seven of South Africa's nine provinces. | They have since spread to seven of South Africa's nine provinces. |
Many people have fled South Africa to countries including Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana. | Many people have fled South Africa to countries including Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana. |
The Red Cross said on Tuesday that 27,000 had fled to Mozambique alone. | The Red Cross said on Tuesday that 27,000 had fled to Mozambique alone. |
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