DURBAN - The Malawian government has appealed for donations to support the repatriation of about 10,000 of its nationals.
Thousands are camping in Sherwood Hall in Durban, waiting for transport to return home.
The first group arrived in Malawi on 9 June.
In a statement, the Malawian government said the scale and urgency of the operation has created unprecedented financial, logistical and humanitarian demands.
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"We believe this is a national humanitarian mission that requires collective effort, compassion and solidarity of all stakeholders. Government therefore calls upon development partners, the private sector, humanitarian organisations, faith based institutions to support this critical undertaking through financial services, transport services and other forms of assistance," read the statement.
Authorities say they are deploying a task team to coordinate protection efforts for the 30 June shutdown.
Almost 3,000 foreign nationals from African countries have left South Africa over the past week.