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South Africa: COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown Demands Safer Temporary Shelters
MSF, 21 April 2020
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams have assessed several temporary shelters for the destitute and homeless in Cape Town, Tshwane and Johannesburg, finding poor infection and… Read more »
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South Africa: Strandfontein Homeless Camp Poses Health Threat, Doctors Warn
Daily Maverick, 20 April 2020
A lawyer says the situation at Strandfontein creates a high risk and threatens the health and well-being of the homeless as well as the Strandfontein community. Read more »
COVID-19 - 'Shambolic' South African Homeless Camp a Health Risk
According to Dr. Giles van Gutsen of Doctors Without Borders, unsatisfactory living conditions are the single largest threat to homeless people sheltered at camp in Strandfontein near Cape Town amid the national COVID-19 lockdown. This comes after Brett Herron, Secretary-General for the GOOD opposition party, said: "The Strandfontein camp has been a chaotic and shambolic attempt at shelter and now it seems that the City has completely lost its mind by issuing fines to the penniless homeless people."
Hundreds of homeless people have been moved to the City of Cape Town’s temporary site at the Strandfontein Sports Grounds, as part of the response to COVID-19. Upon arrival, people are screened for the novel coronavirus. There are no other health services for the many underlying health issues, including mental health, substance dependency, and chronic illness. There are many people in the camp with chronic illnesses, such as HIV and TB, and there is no identifiable way that people with these conditions can get access to treatment. There is no protective equipment, such as masks, and there is one basin at each marquee for people to wash their hands.
InFocus
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A few amendments have been made as the country enters into an extended lockdown period. Mining operations will now operate at 50% capacity, particularly coal mining to supply ... Read more »
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South Africa's Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has met with parliament to discuss further measures and proposals to keep the country's economy going despite dire financial conditions ... Read more »
