By STAFF REPORTER

JOHANNESBURG- THE Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, will on Monday engage with representatives from the refugee community as part of commemorations of World Refugee Day.

He will visit the Catholic Archdiocese and the Bienvenu Shelter, both in Johannesburg.

The Bienvenu Shelter caters for the basic needs of migrant women and children as well as refugees.

Deputy Minister, Fatima Chohan, as well as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will accompany him.

The Ministry said South Africa had a constitutional obligation to ensure that genuine refugees are acknowledged and given the support required while offering support to those who have been forced to flee political, ethnic and other forms of persecution.

“To this end, the Department of Home Affairs plays a pivotal role in the achievement of social cohesion in view of fostering unity in society against xenophobia, Afrophobia, homophobia and related intolerances.”

World Refugee Day is observed yearly on June 20. It is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world.

South Africa is home to thousands of refugees.

– Guardian