R25-million approved for displaced immigrants
There were about 5 400 immigrants housed at the three temporary shelters in Phoenix, Chatsworth and Isipingo.
The eThekwini Municipality’s Executive Committee (Exco) has approved a budget of R10-million in its continued efforts to provide relief to assist displaced immigrants after recent xenophobic attacks in the city and other areas of KwaZulu-Natal. In addition, the provincial government will contribute R15-million towards these efforts, bringing the total budget to R25-million.
Reports have revealed that there were about 5 400 immigrants housed at the three temporary shelters in Phoenix, Chatsworth and Isipingo. Over 1 200 immigrants have been successfully reintegrated into the communities they were living in previously, and more than 2 000 have been repatriated to date.
Apart from the reintegration, local government advocates the creation of peaceful co-existence in the affected areas in the province and aims to focus on intensifying community dialogue across all levels. This includes engagements to address the concerns of locals and the local business people.
eThekwini Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo, said although the situation has stabilised, the recent events have dented the reputation of the country.
“We need to make concerted efforts to ensure that we do not destroy the relationships we have with countries abroad, especially our African counterparts,” Nxumalo said.
He also expressed his appreciation to members of the community, non-government organisations, religious leaders and civic society groups who donated food and clothes to the displaced, and thanked those who have dedicated their time in assisting displaced immigrants.
“Councillors should continue to conduct social dialogues within their communities so that any issues that arise can be discussed and resolved amicably,” Nxumalo added.
The joint KwaZulu-Natal Government and eThekwini Metro task team charged with addressing issues around the reintegration, made up by prominent eThekwini Exco members and chaired by MEC Willies Mchunu, has been meeting daily to ensure that displaced African immigrants are reintegrated into the communities they were previously living in.
This process is followed by intensive dialogues involving the leadership and the communities on the need for peaceful co-existence with their counterparts from other countries.
This governmental intervention following the xenophobic attacks is centred around three key areas, namely ending the violence and stabilising the situation in the affected areas; attending to humanitarian relief and providing for the basic needs of the displaced African immigrants; and creating the necessary conditions for the reintegration of displaced African immigrants into their communities.
