DAY OF MOURNING: Remembering the victims of the xenophobic violence in South Africa

3 July 2008

© Erin Trieb

A little more than a month ago, violence against foreign nationals in South Africa erupted in parts of Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces leading to the displacement of more than 80,000 people across the country, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Following the acts of violence perpetrated against foreign nationals during the month of May 2008, living in police stations, churches and community halls came with its own risks, both in terms of physical safety and mental stability. The organised removal to the temporary shelters exactly one month ago only worsened matters. This sequence of events was wholly out of the control of those affected. And for many, this came on top of the traumatic events that forced them to leave their country in the first place.

For MSF, the acts of violence against foreign nationals highlighted the need for greater access to health care for those who do not have legal status in South Africa. On 19 May MSF began an emergency intervention in most of the initial places of safety for displaced foreign nationals, and continues providing primary and mental health care at the current seven camps, or temporary shelters, in Gauteng and, together with the health department, some assistance in the Western Cape as well. In this period MSF has treated 6 000 patients half of whom for respiratory infections.

MSF is presently increasing its mental health care in the seven camps in Gauteng, and the existing health facility in Johannesburg. More than 1 400 counselling sessions for individuals and groups have taken place since the outbreak of the violence.

Adrienne Carter, an MSF counsellor, coordinated counselling for the displaced foreign nationals. She expressed concern for the mounting frustration among the communities in the camps: “We are only now beginning to see the actual effects of recent events. Fear as an emotion is very distressing. People are mostly concerned about their future. They have no idea what’s going to happen. They have options, but no choices. Do you go home, where things are very bad and made you leave in the first place, or do you stay, even though you are very terrified of going back to a community that expelled you?”

The world will remember the horrific pictures of a man being burnt alive in Johannesburg during the height of the violence. Today, the landscape of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town have changed owing to rows and rows of tents in temporary shelters. People living in these tented camps still remember the violence that turned their world upside down. We too remember.