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S. Africa to Build Refugee Camps for Foreigners

Affluent nation shocked by settlement plan

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 28, 2008 9:57 AM CDT
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(Newser) – South Africa is planning to establish refugee camps for the foreigners driven from their homes by anti-immigrant violence, the New York Times reports. The shelters, dubbed “temporary places of safety,” would initially house the 11,000 people sheltered near police stations across the country, but could eventually be expanded to as many as 70,000.

International agencies complained that tens of thousands of homeless people from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and elsewhere need help now, and can’t wait for camps to be built. South Africans, meanwhile, are shocked by the idea of refugee camps in their relatively affluent country. Resentment of immigrants led to a flurry of attacks earlier this month, killing 50 and leaving thousands homeless.

Foreigners from African countries gather at an informal gathering point in the city center of Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
Foreigners from African countries gather at an informal gathering point in the city center of Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, May 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
A foreigner stands next to a fire used for cooking. South Africa wants to improve conditions for displaced victims of anti-foreigner attacks but does not want shelters to become permanent.
A foreigner stands next to a fire used for cooking. South Africa wants to improve conditions for displaced victims of anti-foreigner attacks but does not want shelters to become permanent.   (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
Displaced Somalis and immigrants of other nationalities, are seen at an informal refugee camp north of Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
Displaced Somalis and immigrants of other nationalities, are seen at an informal refugee camp north of Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Displaced immigrants receive their supper meal provided by Methodist Church at an informal refugee camp outside a police station in Primrose, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday May 26, 2008.
Displaced immigrants receive their supper meal provided by Methodist Church at an informal refugee camp outside a police station in Primrose, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday May 26, 2008.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
A South African police officer tells foreign refugees to return to the church where hundreds are staying, after South Africans attempted to attack them in Johannesburg, Saturday May 24, 2008.
A South African police officer tells foreign refugees to return to the church where hundreds are staying, after South Africans attempted to attack them in Johannesburg, Saturday May 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Immigrants receive a meal provided by the Muslim community outside a community hall in Reiger Park near Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday May 23, 2008.
Immigrants receive a meal provided by the Muslim community outside a community hall in Reiger Park near Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday May 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
A foreigner's hand is seen at an informal gathering point in the city center of Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
A foreigner's hand is seen at an informal gathering point in the city center of Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, May 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
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