SOUTH AFRICA- IOM and Partners Plan Response to Potential Xenophobic Violence - IOM is currently working with the South African Government, UN agencies and local NGOs to plan for a possible exodus of vulnerable Zimbabwean migrants fleeing threats of post World Cup xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The IOM reception and support centre located in the border town of Beitbridge reports increased traffic of Zimbabweans who have decided to temporarily return home because of fears of xenophobic flare-ups in South Africa.
The town of Musina, situated approximately 20 km from the Zimbabwean border, is a traditional entry/exit point for a large number of Zimbabwean migrants. However cross-border flows over the last week of the World Cup were atypically characterised by trucks laden with furniture and other household goods, indicating that people are anticipating outbreaks of xenophobic violence and are sending their belongings back to Zimbabwe to minimise losses, and to allow for a quicker flight should they need to make a quick getaway.
“I cannot risk the life of my family while trying to watch the World Cup final”, said Ellias, a 26 old Zimbabwean from Gwanda, who is married with two children. He was passing through Musina on his way from Mamelodi Township near Pretoria.
Over the weekend, IOM conducted interviews with returning migrants on the Zimbabwean side of the border, with more than 90% of the 140 interviewed stating they had fled threats of violence and 10% stating that they had already suffered xenophobic violence prior to their departure.
On-going contingency plans carried out with partner agencies include the pre-positioning of food and hygiene packs as well as measures to allow prompt document processing in case of a large influx of returning Zimbabweans. In addition, provisions are being made to provide adequate transportation from the border to various locations in Zimbabwe should the need arise.
IOM is also working with its partners in the One Movement to prevent xenophobic attacks through targeted public information campaign to counter the negative rumours circulating. The campaign’s goals are to emphasise harmony and unity within the community via the local churches and mass media outlets such as the newspapers and radio stations, as well as a door to door campaign in conjunction with the SAPS (South African Police Service).
The One Movement campaign was launched in March 2009 under the patronage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and uses media, community conversations, youth mobilization, curriculum interventions and human rights training in partnership with a wide range of civil society partners to promote a culture of tolerance, human dignity and unity in diversity across southern Africa.
South African Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu announced yesterday that the army and police would immediately deploy in the Western Cape Province to protect the lives of immigrants from African countries. A number of foreign nationals have reportedly fled their homes in Nyanga, Philippi East and Khayelitsha districts to seek refuge at police stations due to fears of xenophobic attacks.
For more information, please contact Newton Muli at IOM Pretoria, Tel: +27 12 342 2789; E-mail: nmuli@iom.int
HAITI- Live Nationwide TV and Radio Programme to Discuss Impacts of 12 January Quake- The government of Haiti, in partnership with the IOM, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the working group on Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities (CDAC) are jointly organizing a live TV and radio talk show to discuss the many and complex impacts of the 12 January earthquake.
The programme will be broadcast nationwide by the independent station Radio Tele Ginen and on the Haiti National Television and Radio (RTNH) on Thursday 17 July 2010.
It will showcase progress made by the Government and the international community six months after the quake, the challenges facing Haiti and priorities for the next six months.
The debate will focus on the challenge outlined by United Nations special envoy for Haiti and Former US President Bill Clinton, to ‘build back better’.
It will also tackle the frustrations of the 1.5 million displaced Haitians living in shelters, the priorities for the next six months and the long term strategy and challenges in rebuilding Haiti. Among the guests participating will be people who have been living in shelters since the quake.
The debate will also include Government officials,
representatives of international organizations and Haitian civil
society. Invited guests will be allowed to ask questions to a group
of seasoned panellists.
It is expected that the programme will be a good opportunity
to connect humanitarian actors, the Government of Haiti and Haitian
people across the country just after the six month anniversary of
the earthquake which killed between 217,000 and 230,000 people
according to Haitian government estimates. The earthquake injured a
further 300,000 and left over 1.5 million homeless.
The TV/Radio Show seeks to engage Haitian people regarding various
issues that are relevant to their daily lives and to facilitate a
productive debate amongst all parties, recognizing that Haitian
citizens' response to any change will be determined by the
availability and quality of information. The debate also seeks to
provide reliable information on the reconstruction process to
reduce social tension that may result from misinformation and
ignorance.
The aim of the organizers is to have the TV/Radio show heard/seen by as many Haitians as possible, especially the displaced population of 1.5 million. The programme will be broadcast live by Tele Ginen and RTNH. The choice of Tele Ginen was dictated by its nationwide rating and geographical coverage. Haitian broadcasters in addition to RTNH are being offered a live feed free of charge and are being encouraged to broadcast the programme live as well.
For more information contact Leonard Doyle, Haiti Media and
Communications Officer, Tel: + 509 370 25066; E-mail: ldoyle@iom.int
