Xenophobic attacks in South Africa draw condemnation from UN agency

United Nations, New York, 20 November 2009 - The UN refugee agency, (UNHCR), has condemned the latest xenophobic attacks in South Africa, targeted at some 3,000 foreigners in the Western Cape Province.

The attacks, carried out last Tuesday by some local farmers, have driven the foreigners, including refugees and asylum-seekers from Zimbabwe, from their temporary homes in De Doorns, a grapelands farming community located some 140 kilometres northeast of Cape Town. The local farmers have accused the foreigners of stealing their jobs by accepting cheaper wages in vineyards.

UNHCR has moved quickly to help the displaced who are now staying in a sports field and a community centre in De Doorns, sleeping under three communal tents.

The refugee agency welcomes the rapid humanitarian response of the local authorities and the fact that water, portable toilets and a mobile health clinic were provided within hours. In addition, the South African Red Cross has also been feeding the evicted persons with two hot meals a day.

UNHCR is working with the South African Human Rights Committee and all concerned parties to help bring the situation in De Doorns back to normal and make it safe for foreigners to return there.

News story :
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33023&Cr=xenophob&Cr1=

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• United Nations
• UN
• UNHCR
• Xenephobic
• Attacks
• South Africa
• Western Cape Province
• Xenophobia
• Foreigners
• Refugee
• Human right
• De Doorns
• Violence
• Tension