M. Continuo

Oxfam says SAfrica camps not fit for displaced migrants

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The camps where South Africa's government plans to house migrants displaced by xenophobic attacks do not meet humanitarian standards, international aid agency Oxfam said on Sunday.

Some 62 migrants have been killed and tens of thousandsforced from their homes around the country. The violence, whichhas subsided, targeted mostly Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.

The government plans to move thousands of displaced peopleto various camps around the Gauteng province, where theviolence first broke out.

"Oxfam is concerned that minimum standards of humanitarianassistance and protection have not been met. Adequate water,sanitation, and security facilities should have been in placeahead of relocations," the agency said in a statement.

Oxfam said one of the camps did not have sufficient toiletsand a water tank did not have taps, posing a health risk.

Radio 702 reported that residents at Midrand, where thegovernment was setting up a shelter for displaced residentshurled insults at a senior official who came to address them.

The residents were concerned about crime and the value oftheir homes if the temporary shelter is set up, Radio 702 said.

Analysts say competition for housing and jobs combined withsoaring food and fuel prices raised tensions that led to theriots. Unemployment in South Africa hovers around 24 percent.

(Reporting by Phumza Macanda; Editing by Elizabeth Piper)

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