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Tent city planned for African refugees


Published: March 19, 2008 at 12:05 PM
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TEL AVIV, Israel, March 19 (UPI) -- The mayor of Tel Aviv has announced plans to do something about the hundreds of African refugees living in squalid conditions in the Israeli city.

Mayor Ron Huldai has ordered a sophisticated tent city to be set up in a wooded area in the southern part of Tel Aviv to house refugees currently living in shelters and parks, Haaretz reported Wednesday.

The compound will have running water, electricity and air conditioning, said Yael Dayan, deputy mayor in charge of refugee affairs.

Dayan said showers and toilets would be set up, as well as a large kitchen facility.

With conditions worsening over the past two weeks, Dayan accused the prime minister's office of reneging on a commitment to provide funds so refugees could rent apartments.

"Our demand for government aid still stands," Dayan said. "The most important demand is that it issues refugees with work permits. We know that many employers would be interested in employing the refugees. "



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