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| SA denies planning refugee camps | SA denies planning refugee camps |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| South Africa's government has denied it is setting up massive migrant or refugee camps for the tens of thousands of foreigners who fled recent attacks. | South Africa's government has denied it is setting up massive migrant or refugee camps for the tens of thousands of foreigners who fled recent attacks. |
| Aid agencies had said the government would reveal plans to set up seven camps for up to 70,000 people. | Aid agencies had said the government would reveal plans to set up seven camps for up to 70,000 people. |
| But a home affairs spokeswoman said temporary shelters accommodating 2,000 each would be set up instead. A formal announcement will be made on Thursday. | But a home affairs spokeswoman said temporary shelters accommodating 2,000 each would be set up instead. A formal announcement will be made on Thursday. |
| Meanwhile, the UN said it is helping South Africa plan relief efforts. | Meanwhile, the UN said it is helping South Africa plan relief efforts. |
| It is conducting a survey of the conditions in the police stations and municipal halls in which the displaced people are currently living, UN spokesman George Nsiah told the BBC . | It is conducting a survey of the conditions in the police stations and municipal halls in which the displaced people are currently living, UN spokesman George Nsiah told the BBC . |
| Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) has warned that those sheltering in makeshift camps or outdoors have been left without protection - either physical or legal. | Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) has warned that those sheltering in makeshift camps or outdoors have been left without protection - either physical or legal. |
| "It's very cold at night, it's almost like one or two degrees. It's been raining in the last few days," said MSF South Africa programme director Muriel Cornelis. | "It's very cold at night, it's almost like one or two degrees. It's been raining in the last few days," said MSF South Africa programme director Muriel Cornelis. |
| "And then legal protection - most of them do not have any status, no legal status, no temporary status." | "And then legal protection - most of them do not have any status, no legal status, no temporary status." |
| A spokesman for the UNHCR said very few of the displaced foreigners fit the formal definition of "refugee". | |
| Nevertheless, the government is coming under considerable pressure to organise better accommodation than the makeshift camps currently housing most of the displaced people. | |
| Correspondents say it has made it clear that any option which isolates rather than integrates foreigners into the community would be contrary to its policy. | |
| Overcrowding | Overcrowding |
| The government said in a statement that reports that it intended to set up "refugee camps" for tens of thousands of displaced foreigners were "baseless and therefore not true". | |
| RED CROSS DISPLACED South Africa: about 51,000 Gauteng: 28,000 Western Cape: 20,000 KwaZulu Natal: 2,500 Mozambique: 27,234 Malawi: 480 Zimbabwe: 123 In pictures: Displaced life in SA | RED CROSS DISPLACED South Africa: about 51,000 Gauteng: 28,000 Western Cape: 20,000 KwaZulu Natal: 2,500 Mozambique: 27,234 Malawi: 480 Zimbabwe: 123 In pictures: Displaced life in SA |
| Home affairs department spokesperson Siobhan McCarthy said temporary shelters would ensure displaced migrants had access to health services, food and sanitation, the South African Press Association reports. | |
| MSF said it was finding cases of diarrhoea and chest infections in overcrowded existing shelters near Johannesburg. | MSF said it was finding cases of diarrhoea and chest infections in overcrowded existing shelters near Johannesburg. |
| The International Red Cross's Francoise Le Goff told the BBC it was vital people found alternative places to stay. | The International Red Cross's Francoise Le Goff told the BBC it was vital people found alternative places to stay. |
| "We have problems with sanitation; it's cold; people are getting sick, so their security is barely there," she said. | "We have problems with sanitation; it's cold; people are getting sick, so their security is barely there," she said. |
| "People need to leave this place and have an area where they can settle a little better and where they can reorganise a better life." | "People need to leave this place and have an area where they can settle a little better and where they can reorganise a better life." |
| Compensation | Compensation |
| The unrest, targeting migrants from Zimbabwe and other African countries, began near Johannesburg earlier this month. | The unrest, targeting migrants from Zimbabwe and other African countries, began near Johannesburg earlier this month. |
| Fifty-six people have been killed and more than 650 injured in the attacks, according to officials. | Fifty-six people have been killed and more than 650 injured in the attacks, according to officials. |
| 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. |
| Nigeria says it will press for compensation from the South African government for its citizens who were victims of the violence. | Nigeria says it will press for compensation from the South African government for its citizens who were victims of the violence. |
| Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said that no Nigerians were killed in the attacks, but many have lost their properties and others have had their shops looted. | Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said that no Nigerians were killed in the attacks, but many have lost their properties and others have had their shops looted. |
| 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. |
| Resentment against foreigners who are seen to be harder working and better educated than locals have been cited a factors fuelling the violence. | Resentment against foreigners who are seen to be harder working and better educated than locals have been cited a factors fuelling the violence. |
| Have you been displaced by the unrest in South Africa? If you are a South African, what do you think of the way migrants have been treated? Let us know your experiences using the form below. | Have you been displaced by the unrest in South Africa? If you are a South African, what do you think of the way migrants have been treated? Let us know your experiences using the form below. |