CALAIS: In contrast to the autumn cold, 28-year-old Ali Ibrahim said the conditions were terrible at the impromptu camp for migrants in northern France where he sleeps. He wore only a light jacket and wool hat.
The Sudanese described the situation as” maybe it’s really tough” outside the deserted warehouse where he has spent the past six months awaiting a crossing the stream to Britain.
” Some people don’t include a cover or anything to stay warm even a coat”, he said.
On the periphery of the port town of Calais, there are lots of houses crammed into the warehouse’s gloomy interior. About 400 of the 750 immigrants waiting to cross the border to Britain, according to officials, reside it.
Cold, tropical winds blow through breaks in the walls, while luggage of bullshit pile up outside. A local barbed wire fence holds filthy garments.
Hasan Abdullah, a fellow Sudanese, said his set-up inside the warehouse was hardly ideal, but it was better than sleeping hard.
” I wrap myself in some blankets, three or four, then I cover my camp in plastic and it’s fine”, said the 21-year-old.
” Inside for four time”
According to local standard Agathe Cury, the condition has established various inventory shelters with heat, beds, and sleeping bags for up to 500 migrants when the weather is very warm.
However, they have only been available for 15 nights overall since December 1.
Many migrants claim to prefer to sleep near to potential exit points for the illegal network passing, even though they may even sleep in designated shelters for asylum seekers that are available all year round.
On Tuesday, Doctors without borders ( MSF ) urged the provision of permanent shelters “at least until the end of winter” and claimed that official measures to protect migrants from the cold were “insufficient.”
The non-governmental organization rented 10 resort apartments in Calais from early December until the end of March in an effort to help.
MSF says the rooms house 29 people including people, pregnant girls and unaccompanied juveniles.
Thirteen-year-old Najma from Somalia has been sleeping that with her family.
” I slept inside for four weeks”, she told AFP, sitting on a couch in a communal living area.
” It was very warm, and the location we were sleeping was no clean”, the girl said, adding there was no “food, waters, or tea”.
But these “it’s many cleaner… you have everyone, and it’s not cold. It’s really good”.
Mohammad, a 44-year-old from Syria, said he and his princess caught virus sleeping outdoors before finding shelter at the resort.
” January has been particularly chilly”, he said, preferring not to grant his next name.
” I need to travel to London.”
MSF representative Feyrouz Lajili said workers in Calais were” surviving in terrible, cruel conditions”.
The state plan for house during extreme cold “was certainly activated in December, despite the very low, perhaps bad heat”, she said.
However, authorities claim that they do not want to promote immigrants to sit along the coast.
Cury, the native standard, said it would be “nonsensical” to invest in saving the lives of refugees attempting the stream cross, while even “putting them just next to where pirates operate”.
At least 76 workers died trying to cross to Britain last month, according to French government, making 2024 the deadliest month on record for the bridges.
Tens of thousands reached Britain, where the government has vowed to bite down on people-smuggling groups.
Despite the cold, the families who made it to Calais continue to dream of crossing the sea to the United Kingdom.
” We need to go to London because we need knowledge. I want to go to college, and I need a good living and safety”, said Najma, adding Somalia was” no safe”.
” We haven’t taken the vessel yet, but we need to. We’re waiting. I’m hoping to travel one day.
Hussein, a 27-year-old from Kuwait staying at the hotel, said his family nearly drowned a few days before when they set out into the stream on a boat.
But the man, who preferred never to give his title, said he was determined to try again.
” Even if something happens to me or I die trying, it’ll get better than living over around”, he said.
