Refugee Aid

The Somali Association of South Africa plays a significant role in the integration of Muslim Somali refugees in SA. It is a national organization with a branch in the Eastern Cape. The number of Somali refugees in SA, who fled 16 years of civil war, is high with big concentrations in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage. By and large, these refugees run businesses and are settling down, buying property and contributing to local projects like building of Musjids.

There have been several xenophobic attacks on Somalis, with many losing their lives. SASA plays a vital role in liaising with government and civil society in trying to smooth relations with locals. They played a role in mediating the Motherwell riots in 2007, when over 100 Somali shops were looted.

Some Aims:

• Making the Somali community self-reliant and integrating with the local community.
• Defending the rights of the community.
• Building unity with peace and tolerance.
• Facilitating capacity building by mobilizing resources.
• Collecting and disseminate information about the Somali community in SA. A newsletter is published on a regular basis.
• To co-ordinate social welfare programs.
• Working with government and others on various projects like Refugee Day activities.

CONTACT:
97 7th Avenue, Mayfair, Johannesburg, 2092

Tel: 011 839 0939, 086 604 5814
Cell: 082 481 1440, 072 222 3400
Email: info@somaliassociation.org
Web: www.somaliassociation.org