Geneva, September 20: At least 1,500 foreign nationals have been forced to flee their homes in South Africa amid a surge in deadly xenophobic violence in the country, the United Nations said Friday. The UN refugee agency voiced alarm at the violence, which reportedly killed at least 12 people -- both foreign nationals and South Africans -- in and around Johannesburg earlier this month in a spate of attacks against foreigners fuelled by soaring unemployment and poverty. Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa Leave Five Dead, President Cyril Ramaphosa Vows to Clamp Down Violence Against Foreigners.

"At least 1,500 foreign nationals, predominantly migrants but also refugees and asylum-seekers, have been forced to flee their homes," UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley told reporters in Geneva. He said the agency's staff had in recent weeks received "a significant increase in calls to our telephone hotlines, with people reporting that their homes and businesses have been looted, buildings and property have been set on fire."

They were also receiving reports of "increased gang activity on the streets and rising incidents of sexual and gender-based violence," he said. South Africa, the continent's second largest economy, is a major destination for other African migrants. But they are often targeted by some locals who blame them for a lack of jobs.

"Many refugees are now too afraid to go to work or carry out their day-to-day trade, despite having no alternative sources of income," Yaxley said. Over the past two weeks, some 500 Nigerians have been repatriated amid the attacks in Johannesburg, including many directed at Nigerian-owned businesses and properties.

And according to the UN, some 800 people, mainly from Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, have sought safety in community halls in Katlehong. "Many wish to return home, saying they no longer feel safe in South Africa," Yaxley said. UNHCR, he said, was strengthening its response and operational presence in South Africa to work with the government and other partners to help ensure the refugees' safety. South Africa: 13 Killed as Church Roof Collapses in Durban.

"We are deploying additional staff and resources, including relief items, emergency shelter, psycho-social care, legal assistance and support with recovery of lost livelihoods," he said, adding that experts in child protection and sexual and gender-based violence were also being deployed. Authorities in South Africa must "take every possible measure to ensure people's safety and welfare," Yaxley said.

"No effort should be spared to quell the violence and enforce rule of law," he said, insisting that perpetrators should be held to account. He also called on "those with a voice in the public domain ... to ensure their language does not further inflame the situation." Foreigners, he said, must "not become scapegoats for complex socioeconomic challenges."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2019 06:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).