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Health risk warning for SA camps Health risk warning for SA camps
(about 2 hours later)
The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) has warned of worsening conditions in South African camps for victims of recent xenophobic violence. 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 camps around Johannesburg. MSF said it was finding cases of diarrhoea and chest infections in overcrowded shelters near Johannesburg.
The government has said that more than 30,000 people have been displaced by the violence, which began near Johannesburg earlier this month. 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 the government. Fifty-six people have been killed and more than 650 injured in the attacks, according to officials.
Deteriorating conditionsDeteriorating 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".
He said the camps were only temporary and that, where safe, some victims had already been reintegrated into their communities. 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 promiseSOUTH 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.
According to South Africa's Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), as many as 100,000 Africans may have been driven from their houses.
The organisation says it has done a careful count in the Johannesburg area and other organisations have conducted similar tallies in Cape Town and Durban.
Adele Kirsten, the centre's executive director, said the government had been "incredibly slow to respond".
"They have certainly failed to grasp the seriousness of the situation," she told the BBC's World Today programme.