Violence began in Gauteng Province on 11 May 2008 when angry mobs attacked foreign nationals and some South African citizens in the township of Alexandra in the Johannesburg Metropolitan area.

The violence spread to all but one province in South Africa. The attacks claimed the lives of more than 50 people, with violence and intimidation resulting in the displacement of almost 40,000 persons who were accomodated in police stations, community halls, on church grounds and other places. Unable to return to their South African homes, tens of thousands of foreign nationals fled the country out of fear and persecution.

On 30 September 2008, the Gauteng Provincial authorities deregistered all of its official safety sites and these were closed. Despite this, approximately 400 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) still remain at the Acasia site near Pretoria. In the Western Cape,  sites were closed officially in November. However, approximately 600 IDPs remain at Bluewaters near Strandfontein and Youngsfield in Wynberg. The United Nations and other humanitarian partners supported the Government in its response to the needs created by the displacement. The government and humanitarian partners have undertook  Lessons Learnt exercises in Cape Town and Gauteng to evaluate the effectiveness of the response. On this page you will find information about  the relief response that has been underway.  

Displaced immigrants queue to receive blankets at a U.N. temporary shelter in Germiston, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday June 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe).