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Calais: Risk of cholera in refugee camp as conditions worsen


A report from Birmingham University reveals not just the squalor but dangerous health risks to the men, women and children at the 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais - just 20 miles from the Kent coast. Aid workers also discourage all non-essential visits to the camp.

Phil Kerton and Ben Bano from the charity Seeking Sanctuary write: "..there is now a risk of cholera and other diseases. In parts of the jungle there are one or two toilets for 500 people and these are often full to overflowing. The refusal of the French authorities to provide any litter collections means that there is potential for yet more disease. And the UK government is not likely to press them into any further action.

And as the winter comes on there are still no plans to install any of the most basic of infrastructure - people will be dependent on candles and the like - some people are having to walk up to six kilometres in search of a little firewood.

Many of you have contacted us to ask what you can do to help. And there have been a number of messages about how you might go direct to the jungle. In recent weeks the camp has received many visitors, which has caused further distress for the refugees. In particular, the taking of photos has caused tension. The charities on the ground are also becoming overwhelmed by the number of visits, which can distract from their vital day-to-day work. With this in mind, we would discourage all non-essential visits to camp. If you do have to go to the camp to advance a project or to deliver aid, we can provide cautionary advice about how to try to avoid causing offence. Among other things, there is volunteer who visits the camp on Wednesdays (only) who would be happy - if essential to your visit - to take you around as she carries out her duties. Please bear in mind that you will need to assess any risks involved - for example there have been several incidents of inter racial tensions - but remember too that most inhabitants are asking only for a modicum of decency and dignity.

But even more the scandal of the squalor so near to our shores needs to be made clear to politicians and others in positions of authority. Make contact with your local MP and ask what they are doing to press the government to ameliorate conditions there (the answer is of course nothing, except more fencing). We are aware that there has been no formal request for a global agency such as UNHCR to be involved - from their experience in the Middle East they could provide conditions which are much more adequate within a few days or weeks. It is also important to counter some of the myths about migrants and to highlight the errors and prejudices of those who propagate them. In Dover, people have come into the town and paraded their hatred with violence and abuse, not representative of the feelings of local people! Some of you may be able to get to a counter-demonstration in the town's Market Square from 12.30pm on Saturday 17th October: "Refugees Welcome", organised by the Kent Anti-Racist Network.

Finally we are pleased to let you know that the goods which were collected over August and September and taken to East Kent have now reached exiles courtesy of CalAid. Our thanks to all their volunteers! The latest position regarding collections and delivery is that, although Secours Catholique now has access to a larger store, it is already overflowing and they are unlikely to to be able to take regular deliveries from us until December. Likewise, L'Auberge des Migrants is not taking in more van-loads of goods until mid-November, while its volunteers add shelving and sort out material that has already arrived. Several organisations have stopped asking for clothes and toiletries for the time being and are currently appealing for wood and other materials to build shelters and for people to go out to Calais to assist with this work and to help in their stores so that goods get through to the exiles more efficiently.

Our thanks to all those who have been waiting patiently, hoping to send us collected goods in October. Given the above facts about continued lack of storage capacity in Calais, we are still not certain exactly when we can start to take goods into our Kent stores or let you know of an alternative destination. We will contact those affected as soon as we have established a definite date.

On our updated website you will find links to the reports we have mentioned as well as others of interest, such as a petition for rapid assessments of refugee status (if necessary, in France) and a request for evidence to be sent to a Parliamentary Enquiry into the migration crisis facing Europe and the situation in Calais.

Seeking Sanctuary' aims to raise awareness about this situation and is organising basic humanitarian assistance through Faith Communities and Community Organisations in partnership with the experienced aid agency 'Secours Catholique'. For further information on how you or your organisation can help, contact Ben Bano 0n 07887 651117 or Phil Kerton on 01474 873802. To check the latest news, visit our website on www.seekingsanctuary.weebly.com.

See earlier ICN reports:

09 30, 2015 CSAN and Secours Catholique joint statement on Calais refugee crisis
09 23, 2015 UN Representative visits Calais 'Jungle'
09 20, 2015 Eyewitness: Visit to the 'Jungle' in Calais
09 20, 2015 English and French Church leaders issue statement on Calais refugees

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