VICTIMS OF XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE

In May, 2008, systematic violence against foreign nationals broke out nationwide. People were targeted in communities and chased from their homes and businesses. Tens of thousands of displaced people flocked to police stations, community halls and other places of safety.

Without shelter, food and other resources, they were trapped and in need of large-scale humanitarian relief. The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), together with other civil society organisations in the Western Cape, immediately responded by forming a task team to cope with the relief efforts.

TEAMtalk media called on staff to contribute anything they could to this relief effort. On May 31st, we took the generously donated items to the TAC’s collection and distribution depot and to the Bergvliet Methodist Church, which was then sheltering 50 refugees.

In the first week of July, TEAMtalk media partnered with Clicks V&A Waterfront branch to purchase an additional R5,000 worth of toiletries and food for babies and infants living in temporary refugee shelters.