XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS
Over the past two weeks the Red Cross has provided food relief and psychosocial support for displaced persons in Ethekwini. The Red Cross is now supporting 5 Xenophobic Sites in Ethekwini and Johannesburg for approximately 8000 displaced foreign nationals.
In Durban SARCS isproviding hot meals at all sites, clothing, blankets, psychosocial support and telephonic services for the vulnerable at all 3 camps in Westcliffe, Isipingo and Phoenix. The vulnerable from the Verulam and Greenwood park camps are being relocated to Phoenix.
In Gauteng, SARCS is providing hot meals at Ellisberg and Germiston Hall for 1500 people.
The Red Cross thanks the public and all corporate donors for its support.
As the xenophobic attacks and the numbers of the vulnerable are increasing by the hour, we are still in dire need of non-perishable food items, bread, soup, disposable diapers, baby formula, hygiene packs, sanitary pads, towels, cardboard boxes and porridge.
Psychosocial support, PSS
Adults and Children have experienced severe trauma through these attacks thus in strengthening their healing process, Red Cross is providing psychosocial support services. The Red Cross has 3 specialist PSS officers providing group counselling for adults. Red Cross PSS specialists are using art and play stimulation to help children overcome trauma.
Restoring Family Links
Red Cross has a presence in 189 countries. Through our global relationships and Restoring Family Links programme we are providing a telephonic service at sites, where beneficiaries can contact their relatives abroad for 3 minutes, to inform them that they are SAFE AND WELL. This assistance is free of charge as it is part of the core activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The benefit of the telephone service is that it is instant andspontaneous and it relieves the anxiety and uncertainty of knowing the fate of relatives affected by the recent attacks on non- nationals.
SARCS gladly welcomes all donations to be dropped off at the Red Cross Provincial Office Branch: 201 Kenneth Kaunda Drive, Durban North. Please kindly contact Deshika Daya or Nirupa Kasserchun on 031 563 2914 or email: kznfundraising@redcross.org.za / nkasserchun@redcross.org.za Thank you.