News
Stranded Nigerians lay about in South Africa
Over one thousand Nigerians stranded in South Africa are laying about following the country’s delay in evacuating the citizens.
South African anti-immigrants groups have given foreign nationals living in the country up till June 30 to exit the country.
President of Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, said the conditions of the citizens is not looking too good, especially as they have been displaced.
He explained that frustration has started setting in. He added: “So far, we might have about a thousand people remaining. It’s not sounding well. Some of them are really frustrated. Some of them are managing wherever they found themselves as you may know that many of them came from far provinces and they are not living in Johannesburg here.
“So, currently, some of them are dispatched, hanging around in various places. Some in churches, in some community halls, and the weather is not favourable. “As you may know, we are in our winter season here in South Africa. So, it’s very cold and women and children being exposed to the cold weather, it’s a risk to their health. It’s also a risk to their general well-being. “So, the economic challenges- some of them don’t have money to buy food or buy hygiene products to continue to manage and wait. It’s been two weeks now since the cancellation on the 15th of January. “
He disclosed that support is coming from the Nigerian community.
He however pleaded with the government to hasten the process.
According to him: “But the community is supporting where they can, buying groceries, buying food, and some personal hygiene products just to show them love and support. We continue to plead with our government and appeal that they will fast-track the process and whatever that is causing the technical delay so that these people will be airlifted and they will find their way back home where they can at least relax and have some peaceful sleep. So, the condition is not conducive for them.
“Many of them are squatting like you see like 10-15 people in one room or in one hall, you know, struggling to manage themselves and hold on until when they will get a confirmed date for evacuation. That is the current situation of our people.”
Alarm Phone, an organisation that provides independent support to people attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to the European Union, has commended SOS Humanity for rescuing 65 people who were found in distress in the central Mediterranean.
In a post on X, Alarm Phone said the group had alerted the organisation after the 65 people contacted it while in distress at sea. Alarm Phone said it subsequently notified authorities and civilian search-and-rescue organisations, but it was the civil fleet that responded to the emergency.
“Rescued!” Alarm Phone said, thanking SOS Humanity for responding to the distress call and carrying out the rescue operation.
The development follows an earlier report by Voice for African Migrants that the SOS Humanity search-and-rescue vessel Humanity 1 had rescued 65 people, including 10 minors and four women, after they were found in distress following a journey from Libya.
According to SOS Humanity, the rescue was conducted on Wednesday afternoon after the group had reportedly spent three days exposed to the open sea and extreme heat.
The Humanity 1 crew said the distress situation was reported by Alarm Phone, with reconnaissance aircraft Albatross Uno also helping to locate the people in need of assistance.
The survivors were reportedly found exhausted and dehydrated and were taken aboard Humanity 1, where they received emergency medical care.
SOS Humanity criticised European migration policies, accusing European governments of abandoning people in distress while civil search-and-rescue organisations face increasing scrutiny and political criticism.
The organisation said the rescue demonstrated the importance of civilian search-and-rescue operations in the Mediterranean and reaffirmed its commitment to rescuing people in distress, documenting their experiences and providing protection to those in need.
Alarm Phone has repeatedly called for greater protection of people attempting to cross the Mediterranean and for an effective European search-and-rescue system to prevent deaths at sea.
Le navire de recherche et de sauvetage Humanity 1 de SOS Humanity International a secouru 65 personnes, dont 10 mineurs et quatre femmes, après les avoir retrouvées en détresse en mer, à la suite d’une traversée au départ de la Libye.
Selon un communiqué de SOS Humanity International publié sur X, l’opération de sauvetage a été menée mercredi après-midi. Les migrants auraient passé trois jours exposés à la mer et à une chaleur extrême.
Selon l’équipage de l’Humanity 1, la situation de détresse avait été signalée par Alarm Phone et l’avion de reconnaissance Albatross Uno, qui ont contribué à alerter les secouristes sur la position des migrants.
Les survivants ont été retrouvés épuisés et déshydratés. Ils reçoivent désormais des soins médicaux d’urgence à bord de l’Humanity 1.
L’organisation de sauvetage a critiqué les politiques migratoires européennes, accusant les gouvernements européens d’abandonner les personnes en détresse tandis que les organisations de recherche et de sauvetage font l’objet d’une surveillance et de critiques croissantes.
« C’est la société civile qui a sauvé ces personnes », a déclaré l’équipage, soulignant qu’il poursuivrait ses opérations de recherche et de sauvetage malgré l’opposition politique.
L’organisation a également réaffirmé son engagement à secourir les personnes en détresse en mer, à documenter leurs expériences et à assurer la protection de celles qui en ont besoin.
SOS Humanity (International) search-and-rescue vessel, Humanity 1 has rescued 65 people, including 10 minors and four women, after they were found in distress at sea following a journey from Libya.
According to a statement by SOS Humanity (International) on X, the rescue operation was carried out on Wednesday afternoon after the migrants had reportedly spent three days exposed to the open sea and extreme heat.
According to the Humanity 1 crew, the distress situation was reported by Alarm Phone and reconnaissance aircraft Albatross Uno, which helped alert rescuers to the migrants’ location.
The survivors were found exhausted and dehydrated and are now receiving emergency medical care aboard the Humanity 1.
The rescue organisation criticised European migration policies, accusing European governments of abandoning people in distress while search-and-rescue organisations face increasing scrutiny and criticism.
“It was civil society that rescued these people,” the crew said, stressing that it would continue its search-and-rescue operations despite political opposition.
The organisation said it would continue to rescue people in distress at sea, document their experiences and provide protection to those in need.
Alarm Phone salue le sauvetage de personnes en détresse par SOS Humanity
Alarm Phone commends SOS Humanity for rescuing distressed people
Humanity 1 secourt 10 mineurs et 55 autres personnes en détresse en mer
Humanity 1 rescues 10 minors, 55 others in distress at sea
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