Calais Refugee Crisis
Donation protected
After visiting the self entitled 'Jungle' in Calais it became painfully obvious that the media are not telling us the whole story about the refugees stranded there.
The majority of the people have come from war torn countries. They know very little about the benefit system in the UK. They have simply been told that the UK is fair, tollerant and welcomes all. They have abandoned their papers and often their loved ones, risking everything to get to Calais in the hope of reaching Britain.
The numbers are small. Millions are looking for regugee but only 4-5k are in Calais and not all want to come to the UK.
I would like to return to the Jungle but this time taking only the essentials that they need before winter sets in. I will co-ordinate with the volunteers to ensure proper distribution. Transport and crossing will be paid for by myself.
If you could help, I would be incredibly grateful.
Here is my account of my recent visit...
Last week, we were on our way to Brittany, via the Eurotunnel. I had previously heard various reports of the atrocious conditions of those stranded in Calais, hoping to seek refuge in France, Germany, or ideally the UK. I had heard of people dropping off clothes, food and toiletries at the camp and thought we could do the same, albeit on a very small scale.
I put out the word that I was looking for donations and was astounded by the response. The very first comment was from a gentleman suggesting that I take petrol soaked blankets and a lighter, which received 20 likes from other villagers. Soon followed various posts of people utterly disgusted with my idea, telling me I should stay in France. It was very much apparent that these views were fuelled by sensationalist media reports of ‘swarms’ of aggressive migrants intent on rinsing the UK of all it’s riches.
Thankfully not everyone saw the matter in such a black and white way and I soon received clothing, sleeping bags, food, toiletries, bin bags, matches and nappies.
We were advised to visit one particular side of the ‘jungle’ where we could unload and let the volunteers there carryout the distribution of our donation. Unfortunately we got lost and little did we know it, but we went to the opposite side, full of tents closely packed together. We were only there briefly but soon became aware of how varied the jungle can be.
The Jungle has been self-divided into various communities with a variety of nationalities mainly being from Syria, Sudan, Afganistan, Eritrea, Somalia and Nigeria. Some are more desperate than others and cultural differences are very much apparent. At no point did we feel threatened, in fact my hand was shaked many times, but it was painfully obvious that people on this side of the jungle needed help and were not afraid to ask. We were advised that it was safe to hand out a couple of items but soon word spread and a group of women, children and men quickly formed next to us. It felt wrong to deny these people our donations but we had to pack up before the situation became too difficult to manage. There is a particular art of distributing donations that allows the residents of the camp to maintain their dignity but it needs confidence and probably experience, neither of which we had.
We were then escorted around to the other side of the camp which was mainly occupied by the Sudanese refugees. Along this road there was a school set up by the volunteers. Also this was where the women and children were mainly situated so kids were riding bikes and playing along the dust track. The atmosphere was a lot more relaxed. We met with several people who kindly offered us a coffee and pulled up chairs for us to sit on. Awat has been at the jungle for 2 years after fleeing Sudan by boat. As an architect, he has built a hut out of wooden pallets which he hopes to extend. I confessed to my terrible cooking skills after he tells us he plans to build a kitchen, and he offered to teach me as this is apparently where his real skills lay. It was hard to believe that this camp was all built from anything the refugees could get their hands on, all literally on top of a rubbish dump.
We also met a man whose leg was in a plastercast after he fell from a fence, trying to help a friend. He used to live and work in the UK after fleeing the country formally known as Yugoslavia, but was recently deported and is now desperate to return home to the UK. He explained that as soon as his leg heals, he will be back to scaling the fences and jumping on trains. He told us that he was lucky as many others in the hospital have broken all their limbs following their failed attempts.
His situation is very common. Refugees that have been accepted as such are given help but often told after many years to return to their home country. This includes children who have arrived alone, homed and schooled in the UK and then sent back to places such as Afghanistan as soon as they turn 18.
The thing that is pains me the most is that the UK media tells us that these people want to come to the UK as they think it’s a ‘honey pot’. These people have suffered violence and oppression and all they have been told about the UK is that it is fair, tolerant and welcomes all. They want to use their skills and build a life for themselves. The jungle is degrading, they want independence. Benefits are often not even a consideration. Even if they were, if these refugees managed to get to the UK, most would have legitimate claims. These people have no papers and have risked their lives fleeing their homes, often leaving behind loved ones. Children who have been told by their parents that there is a better life for them in the UK, fleeing slavery, war or some other horror, arrive in Calais with no option to head back. Some stay in the jungle awaiting a decision on their French application, some try and enter the UK illegally.
I was pretty ignorant as to what these refugees left behind and thought I’d share what I have found from Amnesty International and other similar sources.
Syria – Over 200,000 killed over four years. 11 million forced out of their homes by forces loyal to the President and jihadist militants from Islamic State.
Afganistan – 26,000 civilian deaths, 29,900 civilians wounded, 500,000 left homeless.
Sudan – Civil war has taken the lives of 1.5 million people. 2 million people have been driven from their homes. Militant groups like the Janjaweed are burning down homes, raping women and children and carryout ‘ethnic cleansing’.
Eritrea – Over 30 years of conflict. Now the government hides all information regarding famine and abuse including executions and torture. Reportedly Eritreans were often found on boats crossing from North Africa to Europe.
Somalia – Plagued with nearly 30 years of civil war and famine. 500,000 estimated to have been killed since 1991. More than 1.1 million displaced and nearly 1m living in neighbouring countries.
Nigeria – Many reports of violence, human rights abuse and corruption. Full of religious militants imposing Islamic law causing Christians to flee. Homes and schools destroyed, women and girls abducted.
I couldn’t imagine living in any of these countries, and I don’t have to as I was lucky enough to be born in the UK. We seem happy to help victims of war torn countries as long as they stay put and don’t come anywhere near the UK. Personally I feel they have gone through enough and I want to help.
The majority of the people have come from war torn countries. They know very little about the benefit system in the UK. They have simply been told that the UK is fair, tollerant and welcomes all. They have abandoned their papers and often their loved ones, risking everything to get to Calais in the hope of reaching Britain.
The numbers are small. Millions are looking for regugee but only 4-5k are in Calais and not all want to come to the UK.
I would like to return to the Jungle but this time taking only the essentials that they need before winter sets in. I will co-ordinate with the volunteers to ensure proper distribution. Transport and crossing will be paid for by myself.
If you could help, I would be incredibly grateful.
Here is my account of my recent visit...
Last week, we were on our way to Brittany, via the Eurotunnel. I had previously heard various reports of the atrocious conditions of those stranded in Calais, hoping to seek refuge in France, Germany, or ideally the UK. I had heard of people dropping off clothes, food and toiletries at the camp and thought we could do the same, albeit on a very small scale.
I put out the word that I was looking for donations and was astounded by the response. The very first comment was from a gentleman suggesting that I take petrol soaked blankets and a lighter, which received 20 likes from other villagers. Soon followed various posts of people utterly disgusted with my idea, telling me I should stay in France. It was very much apparent that these views were fuelled by sensationalist media reports of ‘swarms’ of aggressive migrants intent on rinsing the UK of all it’s riches.
Thankfully not everyone saw the matter in such a black and white way and I soon received clothing, sleeping bags, food, toiletries, bin bags, matches and nappies.
We were advised to visit one particular side of the ‘jungle’ where we could unload and let the volunteers there carryout the distribution of our donation. Unfortunately we got lost and little did we know it, but we went to the opposite side, full of tents closely packed together. We were only there briefly but soon became aware of how varied the jungle can be.
The Jungle has been self-divided into various communities with a variety of nationalities mainly being from Syria, Sudan, Afganistan, Eritrea, Somalia and Nigeria. Some are more desperate than others and cultural differences are very much apparent. At no point did we feel threatened, in fact my hand was shaked many times, but it was painfully obvious that people on this side of the jungle needed help and were not afraid to ask. We were advised that it was safe to hand out a couple of items but soon word spread and a group of women, children and men quickly formed next to us. It felt wrong to deny these people our donations but we had to pack up before the situation became too difficult to manage. There is a particular art of distributing donations that allows the residents of the camp to maintain their dignity but it needs confidence and probably experience, neither of which we had.
We were then escorted around to the other side of the camp which was mainly occupied by the Sudanese refugees. Along this road there was a school set up by the volunteers. Also this was where the women and children were mainly situated so kids were riding bikes and playing along the dust track. The atmosphere was a lot more relaxed. We met with several people who kindly offered us a coffee and pulled up chairs for us to sit on. Awat has been at the jungle for 2 years after fleeing Sudan by boat. As an architect, he has built a hut out of wooden pallets which he hopes to extend. I confessed to my terrible cooking skills after he tells us he plans to build a kitchen, and he offered to teach me as this is apparently where his real skills lay. It was hard to believe that this camp was all built from anything the refugees could get their hands on, all literally on top of a rubbish dump.
We also met a man whose leg was in a plastercast after he fell from a fence, trying to help a friend. He used to live and work in the UK after fleeing the country formally known as Yugoslavia, but was recently deported and is now desperate to return home to the UK. He explained that as soon as his leg heals, he will be back to scaling the fences and jumping on trains. He told us that he was lucky as many others in the hospital have broken all their limbs following their failed attempts.
His situation is very common. Refugees that have been accepted as such are given help but often told after many years to return to their home country. This includes children who have arrived alone, homed and schooled in the UK and then sent back to places such as Afghanistan as soon as they turn 18.
The thing that is pains me the most is that the UK media tells us that these people want to come to the UK as they think it’s a ‘honey pot’. These people have suffered violence and oppression and all they have been told about the UK is that it is fair, tolerant and welcomes all. They want to use their skills and build a life for themselves. The jungle is degrading, they want independence. Benefits are often not even a consideration. Even if they were, if these refugees managed to get to the UK, most would have legitimate claims. These people have no papers and have risked their lives fleeing their homes, often leaving behind loved ones. Children who have been told by their parents that there is a better life for them in the UK, fleeing slavery, war or some other horror, arrive in Calais with no option to head back. Some stay in the jungle awaiting a decision on their French application, some try and enter the UK illegally.
I was pretty ignorant as to what these refugees left behind and thought I’d share what I have found from Amnesty International and other similar sources.
Syria – Over 200,000 killed over four years. 11 million forced out of their homes by forces loyal to the President and jihadist militants from Islamic State.
Afganistan – 26,000 civilian deaths, 29,900 civilians wounded, 500,000 left homeless.
Sudan – Civil war has taken the lives of 1.5 million people. 2 million people have been driven from their homes. Militant groups like the Janjaweed are burning down homes, raping women and children and carryout ‘ethnic cleansing’.
Eritrea – Over 30 years of conflict. Now the government hides all information regarding famine and abuse including executions and torture. Reportedly Eritreans were often found on boats crossing from North Africa to Europe.
Somalia – Plagued with nearly 30 years of civil war and famine. 500,000 estimated to have been killed since 1991. More than 1.1 million displaced and nearly 1m living in neighbouring countries.
Nigeria – Many reports of violence, human rights abuse and corruption. Full of religious militants imposing Islamic law causing Christians to flee. Homes and schools destroyed, women and girls abducted.
I couldn’t imagine living in any of these countries, and I don’t have to as I was lucky enough to be born in the UK. We seem happy to help victims of war torn countries as long as they stay put and don’t come anywhere near the UK. Personally I feel they have gone through enough and I want to help.
Organizer
Ann Phipps
Organizer