Calais Appeal is a consortium of six grassroots organisations, working together since 2021 to provide holistic support to displaced men, women and children (accompanied and non-accompanied) living in the areas of Calais and Dunkirk, in northern France.

Our member organisations are: Calais Food Collective, Utopia 56, Refugee Women’s Centre, Project Play, La Capuche Mobilisée and L’Auberge Des Migrants (including their projects Channel Info Project and The Woodyard).

Funds raised through Calais Appeal are distributed among member organisations or used for shared operational costs.

What We Do

• Distribute tents, tarps, sleeping bags and blankets to provide basic shelter for men, women and children sleeping rough.

• Provide SIM cards, internet connection and electricity so people can access essential information and stay in touch with loved ones.

• Ensure access to safe drinking water on people’s own terms through 24/7 water tanks.

• Offer specialised support for women, including safe spaces in day centres and access to shower facilities, providing adapted care, rest and respite.

• Facilitate daily play and learning sessions for children excluded from education and with limited access to safe spaces to play, learn and grow.

• Distribute firewood during the winter months to help people stay warm and cook hot meals.

The Situation in Calais

On the French side of the Channel, in Calais and Dunkirk, people on the move face daily violence and violations of their fundamental rights.

Border violence:

Since the demolition of the Calais “Jungle” in 2016, French and British policies have relied on constant evictions and routine police operations to prevent new living sites from forming. Under the “no point of fixation policy”, the police conduct evictions in the living sites every 48 hours in Calais. These operations then lead to intimidation and violence, exposing people to constant harassment, the destruction and confiscation of personal belongings, and chronic sleep deprivation.

UK funding:

At the same time, millions of pounds of UK public funds are spent each year on border enforcement that fuels this violence. Through joint actions, the UK and French states pursue deterrence policies that are both ineffective and inhumane, including the recent ‘one-in, one-out’ deal, which undermines international asylum law. Both states are complicit in ongoing human rights violations at the UK-France border.

Lack of essential services:

Due to very limited state services and deterrent policies, people on the move in Calais and Dunkirk face daily violations of their fundamental rights. Most lack access to safe accommodation, including emergency shelters, even during the freezing winter months. In the same way, food, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, medical and mental health care, legal support, electricity, education, activities, and safe spaces are only provided by local organisations.

Increased far-right narratives and presence:

Meanwhile, hateful narratives across Europe are growing louder in 2026. An emboldened extreme right has seen both British and French far-right activists travel to Calais and Dunkirk in recent months to insult, harass and intimidate people on the move and the organisations supporting them.

Within this context, our member’s advocacy working pushing for long-term change is more important than ever.

The change we’re advocating for

1. Safe Routes – Promote accessible safe routes in this region as a step toward freedom of movement globally.

2. End of violence – Call for an end to evictions (“Zero Point of fixation” policy), intimidation, and UK-funded hostile border policies that perpetuate violence.

3. Access to fundamental Rights at the border – Secure access to shelter, WASH facilities, education, play, trauma-informed support, and specialised services.

Your support

You can support our work and stand in solidarity with people on the move by:

• Making a one-off or monthly financial donation

• Donating essential items

• Sharing this donation page with your networks

• Organising a collection or event in your local area

Every donation makes a tangible difference:

• £8 gives someone a tent to keep sheltered from extreme rain, wind and cold.

• £30 buys a week’s worth of nappies and milk for a newborn baby

• £55 fuels a van for 7 days of distributing clothing and hygiene products

• £140 buys a 1,000 litre water tank, facilitating access to water for drinking, cooking and washing

• £300 buys 80 blankets or sleeping bags to keep people warm at night

• £800 buys food ingredients for 320 meals

Together, we can keep pushing back against far-right narratives and oppressive policies. Follow us on social media to stay connected and support our work and sign up to our newsletter.

IG : @calaisappeal

Fb : @Calais Appeal

X : @CalaisAppeal

Bsky: @calaisappeal.bsky.social

LinkedIn : @Calais Appeal

Thank you for standing in solidarity with people seeking safety. Your support will help sustain our activities throughout 2026.

Don’t hesitate to reach out by email to communications@calaisappeal.org or funding@calaisappeal.org if you have any questions or would like more info!

Photos © Aurélien Goubau, Pablo Gubitsh, Romain Kosellek