SA marks World Refugee Day

That's according to Home Affairs minister Malusi Gigaba who today addressed a gathering of members from the refugee community in Johannesburg on Monday to mark World Refugee Day.  

The minister said South Africa would strive to assist refugees the same way South Africans would want to be served if they should flee to another country.

Gigaba said too often governments and their citizens ignore their legal and moral duties to offer refuge to those fleeing their home countries.

"This failure to share humanitarian responsibility for some of the world's most vulnerable citizens, has been thrown into stark relief by the unwillingness of many European governments and citizens to accept asylum seekers fleeing devastating conflict and desperate circumstances, mostly but not exclusively from Syria, the Middle East and Africa," Gigaba said.

Gigaba said the South African government would work with organisations such as the UN to address challenges facing refugees living in South Africa.

"Our foreign policy seeks to contribute to a better Africa and a better world. Through our steadfast support and positive engagement in the African peace and security architecture, we hope to resolve and prevent the conflict and instability which force people away from their homes in the first place," Gigaba said.

According to the UN refugee figures are the highest they have been since the Second World War.