Refugees need you…

THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Since 1999, the Emmaus Grande Synthe/Dunkirk community has been buzzing with passing exiles seeking to reach England. The community offers them meals and equipment (clothes/covers/tents/pots/candles, etc.). “They” were some hundred people living in the “jungle” (‘woods’ in Afghani) near the community. We were able to provide for many of their needs. In July 2014, huge numbers of exiles arrived. We were overwhelmed by requests. We panicked, but then, remembering the 1st February, the 60th anniversary, we appealed to the big Emmaus family, and 60 years later we need the same things.

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Emmaus France, Europe and International immediately mobilised in response to the appeal we sent in July 2014.
Having met the exiles, the decision was taken that a large project of communication and appeal was needed for “six lorries a month carrying equipment for Calais and Grande Synthe throughout the winter”.
Our community thus prepared to receive Emmaus members from all over France and Europe!
Over 55 groups came to help “those who were suffering most” in 2015.
And so we had a new project: “taking people in”. We set up cosy rooms, emptied the shop of its beds and bed covers, etc., (we took in up to 25 people at a time), cooked for them, organised ourselves to tell their story and raise awareness about their journey and go and meet them…all the while continuing the community and 32 companions’ work, as well as the community’s other solidarity projects.

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

First and foremost, ALL of the community. We take food to the camp every Friday. The Boulogne community works by our side. About 30 of us go and spend about two hours giving out the supplies (it takes three hours to prepare beforehand). Each morning the companions take bread to the camp.
Then, all the people and groups who want to visit this place of humanity.
Firstly, Emmaus groups from France and Europe. Civil society and all kinds of other organisations go too.
We take people in for one or several days.

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Thank you to all the groups who’ve supported us. Through joint work and/or donations, Emmaus has given these people the basic supplies they needed.
In our own small way we have understood what Abbé Pierre’s call meant.
We were able to run this project because we were together.
The groups gave us strength! Sharing the burden makes it more manageable!

Today, Emmaus has a voice and project that are recognised in the camp and in the area, particularly at the political level.
An Afghan companion who got his papers, left for our integration workshop. After four years on French soil, he managed to get his heavy goods vehicle licence. He was then employed by MSF and he now works for the town of Grande Synthe. He received his universal citizenship passport at the Emmaus salon.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE?

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS?

Many activists arrived last year following the terrible discovery of the small child who was washed up on a Turkish beach.
Today, they all desert or leave to go elsewhere.
Long-standing activists are tiring.
And nevertheless, the refugees are still there…and keep coming back!
They still go through England despite the walls, policemen, dogs raised on the smell of firewood, motion detectors and modern radars!
Emmaus must continue this struggle. We’re going to reinforce the groups and renew our efforts to take people in. We’ll need equipment, manpower and activists.