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SA province seeks disaster status SA province seeks disaster status
(29 minutes later)
South Africa's Western Cape is to ask for parts of the province to be declared a disaster zone in the wake of recent anti-foreigner violence.South Africa's Western Cape is to ask for parts of the province to be declared a disaster zone in the wake of recent anti-foreigner violence.
The provincial government also asked for UN help in dealing with the crisis.The provincial government also asked for UN help in dealing with the crisis.
Attacks against foreigners in South Africa began earlier this month, leaving tens of thousands displaced across the country and seeking refuge. Attacks against foreigners in South Africa began earlier this month, leaving tens of thousands displaced and seeking refuge across the country.
In Gauteng province, police clashed with mainly Somali migrants as they fought with other foreigners in a camp.In Gauteng province, police clashed with mainly Somali migrants as they fought with other foreigners in a camp.
Outside the capital, Pretoria, Somalis blocked and attacked other foreigners trying to make their way from a makeshift camp to a new, tented camp, the Pretoria News paper reported.Outside the capital, Pretoria, Somalis blocked and attacked other foreigners trying to make their way from a makeshift camp to a new, tented camp, the Pretoria News paper reported.
The police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd in the camp after they threw stones at a police vehicle. The police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd in the camp after stones were thrown at a police vehicle.
A police spokesman told the BBC one officer was injured.A police spokesman told the BBC one officer was injured.
The unrest at the Pretoria camp took place as some foreigners went on a hunger strike to protests against what they said was a lack of protection from South African authorities. The unrest at the Pretoria camp took place as some foreigners went on a hunger strike to protest against what they said was a lack of protection from South African authorities.
Beach campsBeach camps
In the Western Cape, Premier Ebrahim Rasool said the provincial government was negotiating with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to get resources for displaced people.In the Western Cape, Premier Ebrahim Rasool said the provincial government was negotiating with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to get resources for displaced people.
He said the province wanted "decentralised, community-based" accommodation for migrants to replace beach camps.He said the province wanted "decentralised, community-based" accommodation for migrants to replace beach camps.
Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille said that declaring parts of the province a disaster zone would free up resources and allow the local government to co-ordinate relief.Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille said that declaring parts of the province a disaster zone would free up resources and allow the local government to co-ordinate relief.
RED CROSS DISPLACED South Africa: about 51,000 Gauteng: 28,000 Western Cape: 20,000 KwaZulu Natal: 2,500 Mozambique: 32,082 Malawi: 480 Zimbabwe: 123 In pictures: Displaced life in SARED CROSS DISPLACED South Africa: about 51,000 Gauteng: 28,000 Western Cape: 20,000 KwaZulu Natal: 2,500 Mozambique: 32,082 Malawi: 480 Zimbabwe: 123 In pictures: Displaced life in SA
The UN has said it is already helping South Africa plan relief efforts, conducting surveys of the conditions in the police stations and municipal halls in which the displaced people are living.The UN has said it is already helping South Africa plan relief efforts, conducting surveys of the conditions in the police stations and municipal halls in which the displaced people are living.
South Africa's government has denied reports that it wanted to set up massive migrant or refugee camps for victims of the recent attacks.South Africa's government has denied reports that it wanted to set up massive migrant or refugee camps for victims of the 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.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.A formal announcement will be made on Thursday.
Poor conditionsPoor conditions
The government has come under considerable pressure to organise better accommodation than the makeshift camps.The government has come under considerable pressure to organise better accommodation than the makeshift camps.
Aid agencies have warned of deteriorating conditions in the camps, where foreigners have been exposed to cold and disease.Aid agencies have warned of deteriorating conditions in the camps, where foreigners have been exposed to cold and disease.
A Malawian immigrant describes the challenges he has facedA Malawian immigrant describes the challenges he has faced
Correspondents say the government has made it clear that any option which isolates rather than integrates foreigners into the community would be contrary to its policy.Correspondents say the government has made it clear that any option which isolates rather than integrates foreigners into the community would be contrary to its policy.
It has said that temporary shelters would ensure displaced people had access to health services, food and sanitation.It has said that temporary shelters would ensure displaced people had access to health services, food and sanitation.
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.
More than 50 people have been killed and more than 650 injured in the attacks, according to officials.More than 50 people have been killed and more than 650 injured in the attacks, according to officials.
Aid agencies say the number of displaced people is at least 80,000.Aid agencies say the number of displaced people is at least 80,000.
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.
Kenya was to repatriate 64 of its citizens on Thursday.Kenya was to repatriate 64 of its citizens on Thursday.
Resentment against foreigners who are seen to be harder working and better educated than locals have been cited as factors fuelling the violence.Resentment against foreigners who are seen to be harder working and better educated than locals have been cited as 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.
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