South Africa's Refugee Crisis Up-Close

This past weekend I went to help out to the Germiston Town Hall. Over 1,000 refugees are being held there in shocking conditions. I took with a friend of mine who made aliyah (immigration to Israel) a few years ago and is here visiting. These are her thoughts about what she saw:

As I am sure you all know, in the past three weeks South Africa has been faced with a surge of xenophobic violence against both legal and illegal immigrants, who have come here from various parts of Africa in search of a better life. 56 people have been killed, and tens of thousands have been forced to flee to neighbouring states.

I happen to be in South Africa visiting my parents, and so I decided (along with a group of some wonderful friends) to go volunteer at one of the many refugee centres that have sprung up throughout the country.

My friends and I went to a relief centre in Germiston- a drive maybe twenty to thirty minutes from my home. The centre is teeming with people from all over the continent. Men, women and children. The estimate is that the centre houses over 1000 people. The centre, one of many, has been set up not by the government, but by NGO’s and the public sector, who are simply unable to manage this kind of country-wide crisis.

While the effort is fantastic, so much more needs to be done…In fact, experts need to get involved. To understand the seriousness, there are NO DOCTORS in the centre, yet hundreds of crying sick children, NO WASHING FACILITIES, NO BEDS, NO HEAT (it is Winter here now, and very very cold), FEW VOLUNTEERS, NO HYGIENE AT ALL etc…..I really could go on. Not only does the place pose a huge health risk, but also a security risk- while the refugees are being guarded from forces outside, there is no-one protecting them from one another. I am certain that the incidences of rape will increase with time, the spread of communicable diseases, as well as the pilfering that has already begun…These people are so desperate…..

My friends and I cooked lunch- which will likely only be served at supper, as the industrial size pots were taking very, very long to heat….we played with some of the children (children who have no toys, no warm clothing, no education, no home….but some very concerned parents), we sorted clothes to be handed out, and we spoke to many of the refugees. Most, who came here seeking better lives, simply want to return home; while others are hoping that the government will get the situation under control and they will be able to integrate back into society….

In truth, the government has failed these people, the weakest and most vulnerable among us; and continues to do so on a daily basis. When this crisis broke out, Thabo Mbeki (our “President”) flew abroad… Today, Home Affairs (the equivalent of the Ministry of Interior) was coming to register the people for the first time in three weeks!!!! A government worker I spoke to told me that the government is not calling this xenophobic attacks; but criminality against foreigners. They have convinced themselves that this is simply a criminal element in society which, if weeded out, will resolve the problem.

Sadly, in my mind, the roots of this problem are far deeper- related to the unkept promises of the government to its people. The fact that 14 years after the end of Apartheid people still have no homes, no jobs, poor education, poor services etc…This is simply anger directed towards those who cannot defend themselves….

The people are being shipped out tomorrow- to who knows where and to what conditions…I cannot imagine they will be better. Many are trying to go home, and thousands have fled to other states- Mozambique (a country on our Northern border) has declared a state of emergency…though SA has not.

I was so saddened today by what has become of this my country of birth….I kept on trying to work out how we got here….I have no answers. All I can do is quote one of the women whose three beautiful, shy girls I was playing with- “we pray to God; please do too.”

Their new home...

The mounds of generously donated relief food.

Living amongst their only possessions.

What does their future hold?

The few sweets that we hand out brings a much needed smile

Security at work

Comments

[BLACKLISTED DICTATOR]

Mike and Mike's friend,

Many thanks for your report. It is crucial that we know what is going on.
It is inexcusible to plead ignorance.

Obviously South Africa must ask for international assistance. Doctors (perhaps from Cuba?) are desperately needed to provide medical care.

I hope that "Supernatural" can keep track of the Germiston refugees.
Perhaps the volunteers can update us regularly on this blog and we can discuss how we can help.

[BLACKLISTED DICTATOR]

Is this the defining moment in post-apartheid South Africa?

"There were a few tense moments on Monday when a crowd of several hundred refugees marched to Parliament to air their grievances over the recent xenophobic violence.

After being addressed by, among others, Zackie Achmat of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and refugee leaders, sections of the crowd surged towards a small line of police officers outside the main gates of Parliament's Roeland Street entrance.

The officers had their hands full keeping the chanting crowd at bay for a while, but the tension eased and the refugees moved back a few metres.

A memorandum was eventually handed over to a government representative and the crowd began to disperse.

Achmat apologised to the refugees "on behalf of the entire country" for the attacks meted out on them by mobs in some parts of the country about two weeks ago.

He lamented the lack of "moral leadership" on the part of government during the crisis, especially President Thabo Mbeki, Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool and Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille.

It was necessary now to ensure compensation was provided to the victims, that the secure reintegration of those who wanted to return to the areas they were driven from takes place and that assistance was provided to those wanting to return to their countries of origin, Achmat said.

The refugees made no bones about their desire for United Nations assistance, with continuous chants of "UN, UN" and dozens of placards calling for action by the UN High Commission for Refugees." -- Sapa

[leora raikin]

please tell us here in the US how we can help? what do you need, i fly from US to south africa in 2 weeks and would like to know what kind of things i can bring to the refugees?

[BLACKLISTED DICTATOR]

Leora,
It might be best to contact Beyachad in Joburg on your arrival. You could perhaps donate some cash (they have a fund and bank account with details on this blog) as it might be impossible to shlepp heavy items in your luggage.

[BLACKLISTED DICTATOR]

Money can also be deposited directly into the Jewish Board of Deputy's Alex Relief fund.

Name of account holder: SA Jewish Board of Deputies
Name of Bank: Standard Bank - Killarney
Branch Account Number: 2003 05 190
Branch Code: 007205 Ref:
Please write: "Alex Relief" alongside your name or organganization
Deposit slips can be faxed attention Shirley, SAJBD, 011 645 2559

[Mike]

Hi Leora,

To be honest there is nothing that you can bring. What they really need is leadership. Tey need people who can run the shelters.

[BLACKLISTED DICTATOR]

Mike,
i doubt whether running shelters in Joburg is an easy job.