“The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria is now accepting proposals for the 2010 Taft Fund for Refugees.  This grant is available to meet low-cost gaps in protection and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers that are not already addressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the South African government, or organizations that already receive USG funding.  Please note that this fund is not intended for emergency relief, nor for recurring support, but rather as funding for a one-time project.  Our maximum annual funding for South Africa was increased this year to $25,000, which may fund one project or be divided among several.  Proposals must be strong enough to compete against those of other countries, for Embassy Pretoria to receive any funding at all.

We urge you to apply. Proposals may be directed to the Embassy’s refugee officer, Cassandra Carraway, at CarrawayCB@state.gov.  The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2010. Proposals should include details of the organization (contact details, key officers, mission and activities); descriptions of the proposed project objective and activity, targeted community to benefit from the project, and expected impact; project timetable dates, managers, and budget.  The U.S. government also requires that submissions include an organizational Code of Conduct (see wording below).  It now also requires all recipients of U.S. grants to have a “DUNS” number, which may be requested online athttp://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/ or by contacting Lebogang Mosito, LMosito@transunion.co.za, 011 214 6366; or DnB and Crossborder Customer Services Contact dnb@transunion.co.za, 011 214 6176.”

Many of those affected by the violence last night were also victims of violence in July 2009 where the shops of foreign nationals were targeted following service delivery protests and around 100 people were displaced. Those who laid criminal charges relating to the violence and the damages were later intimidated into dropping these. Despite the visit of a Task Team of Ministers to the area, no effective and sustainable solution was found to address the grievances being raised and as a result, further violence has occurred.

CoRMSA calls for the Office of the Premier to intervene to find effective and sustainable solutions to the unrest in the area. Such solutions will involve engaging with community concerns as a means of addressing the source of conflict as well as ensuring the safety and security of all living in the area. CoRMSA calls for those displaced to be provided with humanitarian assistance and for the police to provide protection to those who wish to lay criminal charges.

This is the latest incident of xenophobic violence in 2010. Further violence has also taken place in Atteridgeville, Riviersonderend and Polokwane this year. With South Africa due to host the FIFA World Cup shortly, it is critical that lasting solutions are found to the conflicts that often then result in xenophobic violence.

For further information, please contact:

Duncan Breen, Advocacy Officer, CoRMSA

011 403 7561 or 0722 000 383

In Riviersonderend in the Western Cape, media reports indicate that around 400 residents looted Somali-owned shops in the area following the suspicious death of a local man who was believed to have last been seen with Somali nationals. The man was later found to have died of natural causes but by this stage shops had already been damaged and Somali nationals had been displaced. For further information, see http://news.iafrica.com/sa/2159821.htm

President Zuma’s address focused on the need for tolerance and expressed outrage at the ill-treatment of foreign nationals in parts of the country. His statement comes two days before International Migrants Day is observed on 18^th December.

“If we are to tackle xenophobia and other prejudice in South Africa, we will need strong and consistent leadership from the country’s leaders including the President”, said Duncan Breen, advocacy officer for CoRMSA. “Those committing crimes based on xenophobia or other prejudice need to know that such acts will not be tolerated if we are to successfully build a culture of peace and tolerance”. International experience has shown that leadership from government is one of the key factors essential for combating prejudice and prejudice-related violence. CoRMSA calls for all leaders to address xenophobia and other intolerance within their constituencies.

For further information, please contact:

Duncan Breen, Advocacy Officer, CoRMSA

011 403 7561 or 0722 000 383

President Zuma’s speech can be accessed here.

For further information, see the link to the story below:

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1095680