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Against Xenophobia Protest MarchCape Town: Protest vigilhosted by the Cape Town Action Forum and will take place on Friday 23 May from 19:00 to midnight at the Parliament building in Plein Street. All those who wish to express their condemnation of xenophobia are urged to attend.Johannesburg:The Social Movements Indaba a coalition of humanitarian organisations, will be hosting their march against xenophobia on Saturday 24th May. All are welcome and urged to bring banners, placards and friends. The march will start at 09:00 at Pieter Roos Park on the corner of Empire and Queen in Parktown. Durban: International Refugee Association Saturday, May 24, 2008, 10:00am - 1:00pm Warwick Road Durban Christian Centre SOUTH AFRICA RESPONDs TO XENOPHOBIC CRISISImtiaz Sooliman, founder and chairperson of African humanitarian group Gift of the Givers , said the domestic response is "comparable to the tsunami", referring to an appeal for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami which killed 220 000 people. "People are saying they are ashamed of what is happening to South Africa," he said. A truck worth R350 000 was donated to gift of the givers. South Africans are kind hearted and loving. "They are saying 'we are really moved by the plight of these people and they need assistance'." More than a R1-million has been donated to their fund and people are queuing to leave blankets and other material at a drop-off point in Sandton, Johannesburg, he said. A total of R3 120 000 has been pledged since last Friday from individuals and companies, with banking group Standard Bank making a single donation of R3-million, said SA Red Cross acting secretary-general David Stephens. They have delivered in excess of R 1 million in aid to Xenophobia victim centres in Primrose, Germiston, Alexandra, Elsenberg, Rubber Ridge, Tembisa Gift of the givers is ready to set up 20 stoves in Primrose for feeding, setting up a joint centre with SAPS in central town, ready to deploy trauma counsellors t is standard policy for Gift of the Givers to respond to humanitarian crisis in South Africa, Africa, or internationally, unconditionally irrespective of race, religion, culture, political affiliation or geographical location. Our approach to the present crisis is no different. Our involvement commenced on Monday, 12 May 2008, with the delivery of two hundred [200] blankets and two hundred [200] loaves of bread to victims in Alexandra. The increase of the level of violence necessitated greater intervention in Alexandra. Accordingly we responded with tents, more blankets, food, new clothing, new shoes, hygiene items including soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads and disposable nappies. At that stage we were also on standby for Diepsloot, but by Saturday evening everything exploded out of control. We had to take in tents, blankets and food for two thousand [2000] to Primrose Police Station between 10pm and 2am. Given the level of violence, we prepared a R1 million aid package as other areas including Jeppestown, Hilbrow, Cleveland, Tembisa and Orange Farm ignited. In all cases we were escorted by the Johannesburg Metro and SAP with full co-operation from the office of the MEC for Safety and Security, Feroze Cachalia. But what hasn't made the headlines is the overwhelming positive response to the violence from the South African public. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, says South Africans have shown the goodness of their hearts through the outpouring of goods, food, blankets and money for the victims of the xenophobic violence. "To me, the real spirit of South Africans has been shown. We are not a xenophobic nation," says Sooliman with conviction.Islamic Relief South Africa is concerned at the rising number of children and women affected by recent xenophobic attacks in Gauteng province. Islamic Relief Worldwide, through its forced migration programme, has provided relief assistance to hundreds of migrants and victims of xenophobic attacks, from Africa and the Asian subcontinent. In Atteridgeville, Pretoria, more than 300 foreign migrants were assisted following xenophobic attacks during March 2008, under supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Apart from basic food and shelter, refugees and asylum seekers require extra protection and care because they have lost their belongings, and the protection of their countries. Refugees and asylum-seekers need food, shelter, education, physical as well as social security and health care etc. Islamic Relief will be hosting a Refugee Integration Workshop in conjunction with the city of Johannesburg, to be held on Africa Day (Sunday, 25 May 2008) in Johannesburg. The event is part of ongoing efforts to advocate and enable the government in combating violence against refugees and asylum-seekers in South Africa. Elsewhere in the business sector, one South African eyewear company offered to donate 10 percent of sales taken on Wednesday and Thursday to a fund for victims of xenophbic attacks GIFT OF THE GIVERS ASSIST IN SA XENOPHOBIC CRISIS:Aid organization, Gift of the Givers Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman has been in the affected areas since last Thursday - he says foreigners want to go home and has described the situation as a humanitarian crisis. Gift of the Givers, in conjunction with jacaranda 94.2 started distributing aid to fleeing foreigners last week. Sooliman says they will be distributing a million rands worth of aid, but will increase this if necessary. Due to public demand, Gift of the Givers has a truck stationed at Village Walk in Sandton to receive items for xenophobia victims on Tuesday. You can also call Gift of the Givers on the toll free number, 0800 786 777, for more information on donations. http://www.giftofthegivers.co.za/Wendywood Collection Point: 89 Edison Road Mobile Connection 0118027300 Wendywood Collection Point: 89 Edison Road Mobile Connection 0118027300 Pretoria Collection Point Pick n Pay hypermarket Faerie Glen Corner of Atterbury and Selikat Causeway Lenasia Collection Point Truck moved to Freeway Plaza next to Khan's meat 0823391377 Sandton Collection Point Village Walk from 8am-10pm till Saturday 0836677179 Johannesburg CBD collection point Gift of the Givers office on Mint Road Fordsburg 011 832 1546. trauma counselling 0800 786 777 Other areas to be confirmed. Nanima TV: Gift of the Givers Video Music The Gift - Rabia Sayed (Khan) INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS: ACCOUNT NAME: Gift of the Givers Foundation ACCOUNT NAME: Gift of the Givers For more information: www.giftofthegivers.co.za |
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