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SA province seeks disaster status SA province seeks disaster status
(about 1 hour 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 and seeking refuge across the country.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. The government said it was working to provide shelters of a limited size, to lessen health and security risks.
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. "We should try and avoid setting up large camps that consist of shelters (for) thousands of people," said government spokesman Themba Maseko.
Aid agencies are also pushing for a disaster zone to be declared around Johannesburg in Gauteng province, where the anti-foreigner attacks began.
Most of the immigrants are still sheltering in community halls, churches and police stations and some are sleeping out in the open.
In Gauteng, police clashed with mainly Somali migrants as they fought with other foreigners in a relief camp near the capital, Pretoria.
The migrants blocked and attacked other foreigners trying to make their way from a makeshift camp to a new, tented camp, the Pretoria News reported.
The police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd in the camp after stones were thrown 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 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, where the some 20,000 are estimated to have fled their homes, Premier Ebrahim Rasool said the provincial government was negotiating with the UN 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.
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
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.
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. Meanwhile, foreigners are continuing to flee the country.
Aid agencies had said the government would reveal plans to set up seven camps for up to 70,000 people. Kenya was to repatriate 64 of its citizens on Thursday, while the Zimbabwe embassy is helping 700 of its citizens who have asked to go home.
But a home affairs spokeswoman said temporary shelters accommodating 2,000 each would be set up instead. Others have fled South Africa to countries including Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana.
A formal announcement will be made on Thursday. 'Deprivation'
Poor conditions The unrest, targeting migrants from Zimbabwe and other African countries, began in a township north of Johannesburg earlier this month.
The government has come under considerable pressure to organise better accommodation than the makeshift camps. 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.
Resentment against foreigners who are seen to be harder working and better educated than locals have been cited as factors fuelling the violence, as has social inequality.
In a statement on Thursday the government acknowledged "the urgent need to accelerate its programmes for alleviating poverty, unemployment and other forms of socio-economic deprivation".
It also appealed to communities "to reject any agitation from those who wish to reduce this country into a lawless country".
The government has come under considerable pressure to organise better accommodation than the initial, 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 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 government has denied reports that it wanted to set up massive migrant or refugee camps for victims of the recent attacks.
More than 50 people have been killed and more than 650 injured in the attacks, according to officials. Aid agencies had said the government would reveal plans to set up seven camps for up to 70,000 people.
Aid agencies say the number of displaced people is at least 80,000. Advertisement
Many people have fled South Africa to countries including Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana. Migrants describe conditions inside one of the shelters
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.
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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