This project is one of the initiatives that contributed to the successful response of our country to fears of increased human trafficking and other forms of abuse of women and children during the period of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. We were able as country, government and civil society working together to raise awareness about the anticipated risks.
With only three days left before the end of the world cup, we are collating information from provinces on this matter. The early indication is that our awareness campaign and reinforcement of security measures have been effective in preventing the anticipated upsurge in the number of cases of human trafficking and other forms of abuse.
We have to continue to ensure the safety of women and children beyond the period of the world cup. This project we are announcing today remains one of the key elements of our response to the challenges affecting particularly migrant children.
We are announcing this project at the time when we are faced with reports of xenophobic threats and violence. Government is taking this matter very seriously and has constituted an Inter ministerial Committee chaired by the Minister of Police to deal with this matter.
Government is working together with civil society to ensure that there is an integrated programme of action to avert or deal with xenophobic threats and violence.
This project is a good example of collaboration between government and civil society to provide support particularly to children who are forced by various circumstances to migrate.
Through this project, Save the Children works through social services of government and local organisations, building capacity and advocating for awareness and action to mitigate the plight of children on the move. The interventions established in Musina include:
* an outreach programme in farming areas where many children end up after crossing the border
* supporting children on the streets and at the border
* establishing a transit centre for children and
* supporting the implementation of an identification, tracing and reunification information system designed to track children on the move.
The programme also supports a number of shelters, Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities and drop-in centres that provide food and non-food items to children.
We appreciate the support of the people and government of Italy who have provided a grant of €250 000 (about R2,25 million) to Save the Children to ensure that children on the move and other vulnerable children are protected from exploitation, abuse, violence and neglect.
The grant will ensure that:
* Unaccompanied migrant children are registered, access temporary shelter and receive assistance, support and advice on repatriation, reunification and integration
* Local communities are informed and empowered to react to the risks and they assist in identifying, referring and supporting unaccompanied migrant children
* Information on unaccompanied children is effectively registered, tracked and managed to inform planning and response
* Data about the children on the move will be captured onto the identification, tracking and reunification information system and made available to all relevant stakeholders and interested parties
* A functioning referral system for unaccompanied migrant children is implemented and documented.
On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, I would like to convey our gratitude to the people of Italy for their generous support of the Musina project through Save the Children. Mr Ambassador, we are looking forward to strengthening this partnership to bring a lasting change in the lives of vulnerable children of our region.
