South Africa

South Africa

Congolese refugees who fled the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo live in makeshift tents in front of the UNHCR building in Pretoria, South Africa. (Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Founded

2023

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sahiasinfo@hias.org

South Africa hosts more than 167,000 refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people. Refugees and asylum seekers come from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, and Zimbabwe. South Africa is a primary destination for forcibly displaced people from both inside and outside the region as they flee conflict, persecution, and recurring natural disasters.

Access to rights such as legal status, documentation, education, healthcare, and employment remain out of reach for the majority of displaced people in South Africa. There are growing social inequalities, high rates of violence against women and girls, and consistent exposure to xenophobic violence. Critical gaps exist in services for mental health, as well as protection mechanisms for particularly vulnerable people. There continues to be a large backlog of pending cases for asylum seekers.

Our Work in South Africa

HIAS South Africa works to make a positive impact on the lives of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, ease the challenges they face, and ensure they have access to their rights. We aim to combat and prevent Afrophobia and xenophobia in South Africa. Our work focuses on legal protection, advocacy, mental health care and psychosocial support, as well as work to end violence against women and girls. We work closely with the local Jewish community on social justice issues and build interfaith connections in the country.

A HIAS legal client sits and talks with a client in this thumbnail for the video

We protect refugees and displaced people by offering legal support, preventing and responding to violence against women and girls, looking after children’s rights, providing safe housing, ensuring access to food, and resettling refugees. These approaches are all tailored to local contexts and are designed to strengthen communities to support people forced to flee violence and persecution.

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Support Community Mental Health

HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.

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Engage Jewish Communities

We work with Jewish community groups, congregations, partner organizations, volunteers, and advocates across several countries to mobilize a powerful Jewish voice in support of the rights and safety of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

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Plaintiffs of a court case stand in front of the court.

From mobilizing grassroots advocates to engaging policymakers, advocacy is fundamental to HIAS’ work. With the Jewish community beside us, we stand up for the rights of forcibly displaced people globally.

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A HIAS legal client sits and talks with a client in this thumbnail for the video

We protect refugees and displaced people by offering legal support, preventing and responding to violence against women and girls, looking after children’s rights, providing safe housing, ensuring access to food, and resettling refugees. These approaches are all tailored to local contexts and are designed to strengthen communities to support people forced to flee violence and persecution.

Learn more

Impact

HIAS South Africa Country Director Alana Pugh-Jones Baranov delivers food parcels to Gaby, a refugee community leader on June 19, 2026, in Durban.

HIAS South Africa Country Director Alana Pugh-Jones Baranov delivers food parcels to Gaby, a refugee community leader on June 19, 2026, in Durban.

Aiding Refugees During Xenophobic Violence

In South Africa, the latest xenophobic attacks on refugee and immigrant communities have forced people to hide in their homes or even flee for their lives.

“I have witnessed and experienced many incidences of xenophobic violence, but I have never felt this scared and traumatized,” said Gaby, a refugee community leader. “My wife and children are terribly terrified, even though they are South African citizens of foreign origin.”

In response, HIAS South Africa organized a fundraiser with the local Jewish community to provide emergency food relief to refugee families who cannot leave their homes to get groceries or earn income. HIAS South Africa will continue fundraising to help refugee families get through the worst of the violence.

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Statements

Jun 18, 2026

Joint Civil Society Response to President Ramaphosa’s Address on Migration

May 29, 2026

Outrage Against the Weaponization of Xenophobia and the Brutal and Unlawful Treatment of Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers

Aug 21, 2025

HIAS South Africa Condemns Scenes of Medical Xenophobia Outside Public Hospitals

Apr 25, 2024

HIAS Opens New Country Office in South Africa; Now Assisting Refugees in 24 Countries
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HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption. 

For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.

Together, we can help create a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

Your gift will help us provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers and advocate for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

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