Discontent 2.0

We are discontent. In Northern France, vulnerable people fleeing conflict and persecution are constantly being denied their basic rights. This was the case in 2016 and it still continues today. People who wish to reach the UK and apply for asylum with it being their absolute right to do so- have no other way except for so-called illegal and incredibly dangerous Channel crossings. Every day we meet displaced people who have taken desperate journeys to get this far. They come from wartorn places such as Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Eritrea. These people are on a journey of the unknown because they feel no safety and have no future in their home countries.

Whilst in France, they have zero access to dignified and appropriate accommodation, which results in most people sleeping rough in informal jungles (camps made out of tents and tarpaulins) scattered around Calais. As if living in a tent isnt enough, people are subject to violent police evictions every 48 hours. When the police move them along they also seize and destroy their belongings, including tents and sleeping bags, leaving traumatised men, women and children with nothing. This is done under the pretence of taking people to a shelter, while the real reason is to make the environment as hostile as possible and deter people from coming to Calais. In France, riot police change locations every three weeks meaning that those officers conducting these evictions often do not know the reasons behind the order, nor the plight of the vulnerable people they are further traumatising with these evictions. There is no excuse for this. It is unacceptable, cruel, and inhumane.

Every person has the right to safety, the right to have personal belongings, and the right to be treated equally no matter where they are from. Every individual has the right for their dignity to be respected, and for their status to be recognised.

We believe that the state should provide dignified accommodation and the possibility of safe passage, instead of forcefully taking people to unlivable accommodation centres that are incredibly remote, and fulfil a out of sight, out of mind political agenda. Until then, and for as long as people's only option of shelter is living in tents, tents are what we will continue to provide.

We need your help. This winter, you can provide material support, especially tents, thick blankets, boots and warm jackets, for vulnerable individuals who need it. These are the items that we do not get enough of through donations and the help of our support groups.

In winter 2021 we raised £13,500. In 2022 we are aiming to raise £15,000 (roughly 18,000 €) to buy blankets, winter jackets, boots and tents, and ensure that for every item people need, we can provide it. These warm items will prevent hypothermia and may even save lives this winter in Northern France.

Stand in solidarity with the people in Calais. Share this message, and if you can, donate on this page. Tell your friends, make a stand. Let's turn discontent into action.

Donations received as unrestricted funds.