Rapid Response Payment Request No.12/2008
Funds Sent To: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA)
Amount Sent: US$ 48,071
Date: 26 May 2008
Details of Response
Emergency: Xenophobic violence in greater Johannesburg, South Africa
Date of Emergency: from mid May to date
Implementing member: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) Development Service
Details of the Emergency:
On 14 May 2008, xenophobic violence erupted in Alexander, north of Johannesburg, against foreign nationals specifically Zimbabwean and Malawians. What seemed to be an isolated incident, soon spread to other townships and squatter camps throughout the greater Johannesburg area. The violence rapidly spread to central Johannesburg, as well as, the adjacent Cleaveland area where many hostels that house foreign nationals are located. The worst affected area to date is the East Rand where mob attacks struck most of the townships and squatter camps. The latest reports indicate that the violence have spread to Durban in KwaZulu/Natal and Cape Town in the Western Cape provinces.
Homes and businesses were looted and burned down. Thousands of men, women and children fled to police stations, churches and community halls where they live in fear of further attacks. At this point in time 28,000 foreigners are displaced; at least 43 killed and many more injured. An undisclosed number of men, women and children are sleeping under bridges and in open spaces, exposed to extreme cold weather, with only the clothes on their bodies. Those who were lucky enough found shelter in churches and community halls. But they - men, women and children- sleep in the same space; it is only recently that attempts were made to separate them.
After following the situation very closely, an intensive survey was carried out by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) Development Service and the churches on ground. The survey indicates that whilst food supplies are adequate, at least in some locations, the greatest needs identified are: inadequate sanitation facilities to cater for the high volume of people squeezed in the same location. There is also a great shortage of blankets and foam mattresses. In all the locations there is a need for food for infants and toddlers, as well as toiletries for all.
OBJECTIVES OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE:
Respond to the needs of those affected, especially women and children
Fill the gaps in sanitation and hygiene facilities
Target Population
1,000 people, specifically children and women
The locations for the proposed assistance are primarily Reiger Park and Vosloo's Rus, in the Boksburg area, East Rand, as well as other areas where there is need.
Selection of persons affected, will be done by the church partners who will draw up lists of those seeking assistance in their parishes. There will be strict adherence to the NGO Code of Conduct.
PROPOSED ASSISTANCE
The focus with this assistance will be the provision of the following:
Portable latrines for separate use by men and women
Foam mattresses especially for the use of women and children
Plastic basins for use by women and children
Baby food for infants and toddlers
Toiletries for personal hygiene for men, women and children
Detergent for the washing clothes.
The proposed assistance is either in short supply and in some cases in non-existence, therefore these items are seen as the most urgent in the affected areas.
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) Development Service, as a member of ACT International will implement the emergency response with the assistance of the structures of the Lutheran and other churches that are already in place.
COORDINATION
In the proposed locations, there are already structures comprising of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the ecumenical family of churches that are already in place. For management of the response ELCSA will coordinate with these structures.
COMMUNICATION
There has been arrangement made to deal with inquiries from the media. However, no media briefings or press statement are released.
IMPLEMATION PERIOD
One to two months upon receipt of funds.
TOTAL BUDGET: US$ 48,071
(For the detailed budget, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)
ACTION
The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 48,071 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.
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ACT is a global alliance of Churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.
The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
An immigrant displaced by anti-foreigner violence in Johannesburg washes himself at a refugee camp in Primrose, outside Johannesburg, May 27, 2008. South Africa said on Monday violent attacks on immigrants which ...
