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Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has called for multi-sector collaboration and action in addressing the root causes of protracted refugee situations.
"It is critical for the international community to intervene expeditiously in conflict situations, which is a fundamental source of cross-border refugees and internally displaced persons.
Addressing the 61st Executive Committee Meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Switzerland on Monday, the minister said South Africa was worried about the plight of refugees and urged the world to act.
"South Africa also remains concerned about the needs of the vulnerable, not least refugees in protracted situations and their host countries, during these difficult global financial and economic times," Dlamini Zuma added.
The minister voiced concern over the UNHCR's capacity to fulfill its mandate in areas where armed conflict had escalated and where displaced people were being obstructed from accessing asylum opportunities.
"Also worrying is the fact that humanitarian organisations and personnel have increasingly come under threat," Dlamini Zuma added.
The minister urged donor countries to make funding available to the UNHCR in order for it to carry out its work.
She expressed South Africa's willingness to work with the UNHCR and other countries to find solutions to tackle the forced displacement of people in Africa and the world.
Presenting a progress report on government's drive to regularise the stay of undocumented Zimbabweans in South Africa, the minister said she was "inspired" by the number of Zimbabweans who turned up at Home Affairs offices to take advantage of the process.
She stressed that government had offered amnesty to Zimbabwean nationals who handed over South African identity documents and permits obtained fraudulently. - BuaNews
