The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has pledged to assist Zimbabweans displaced by new xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying it was gearing up for a possible influx of returnees.

IOM chief of mission in Zimbabwe Mr Marcelo Pisani told Mirror last week that his organisation was ready to provide humanitarian assistance through the local Civil Protection Unit (CPU).

“In the event of the Zimbabwean government´s seeking IOM assistance in the repatriation of Zimbabweans, IOM in collaboration with the relevant government and aid agencies will be in a position to assist,” he said. “In response to the xenophobic attacks that occurred in De Doorns in the Western Cape in November 2008, IOM, in collaboration with the South African and Zimbabwean authorities, facilitated the voluntary return of 169 Zimbabweans.

“IOM provided the returnees with medical screening, facilitation of travel document issuance, transport and food," he added.

Pisani said apart from assisting voluntary returnees, IOM had the capacity to provide assistance through the Beit Bridge reception and support centre where a temporary shelter for the victims would be accommodated on arrival in the country. The centre will offer humanitarian assistance encompassing medical screening, food and transportation. It will also assist unaccompanied minors and helps reunify them with their families.

Last week, 16 people, who included South Africans and foreigners, among them four Zimbabweans, were reportedly injured in apparent xenophobic attacks at Kya Sands in northern Johannesburg. Some Zimbabweans living in South Africa have been trickling into the country through Beit Bridge border post since the end of the Fifa World Cup, amid growing fears of renewed xenophobic attacks.

The South African government has since set up a ministerial committee to deal with the issue, fearing a repeat of the attacks which occurred across that country in May 2008. The attacks left 62 people dead, more than 100 000 displaced and property worth millions of rand looted or destroyed.