On a cold morning, a group of Vietnamese migrants found themselves walking down a coastal road south of Calais after their boat capsized. They were met by volunteers from the French association Utopia 56, who provide food, shelter, and legal advice to migrants across France. These volunteers, who were formed after the death of a Syrian toddler named Aylan in 2015, offer hot tea, towels, and survival blankets to those in need. The volunteers wait with the migrants for the fire brigade to arrive and help them warm up. Despite the tragic circumstances, acts of empathy like this are not common, according to the volunteers.
After providing assistance to the Vietnamese migrants, the Utopia 56 team moves to nearby Plage des Escardines to scan the shore for any shipwrecked migrants. Police officers are present on the beach, and there is some tension between the officers and the volunteers. Later, news arrives that a French Navy vessel rescued a boat with 56 migrants, but three passengers, reportedly Iranian Kurds, had gone missing. The volunteers at Utopia 56 continue their work, showing their dedication to helping those in need, regardless of the challenges they face.
In Calais, groups of migrants are leaving their campgrounds on the outskirts of the city to seek help at the Caritas centre. The migrants, who come from various countries including Sudan, Eritrea, and Afghanistan, are looking for food, warmth, and information about their rights in France and the UK. Although the infamous “jungle” encampment was dismantled by French authorities in 2016, smaller camps have formed in its place, with migrants living in difficult conditions despite regular evictions by the police.
According to Juliette Delaplace, the manager of Caritas in Calais, the town hosts over 1,000 migrants in different encampments, with Sudanese migrants making up the majority. The Sudanese migrants have been present in Calais for years, with more arriving due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. With limited resources to pay smugglers, the Sudanese migrants often rely on NGOs like Caritas for assistance. While Calais is home to a significant number of Sudanese migrants, the majority of refugees from Sudan have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Chad and Egypt.
In Egypt, where a large number of Sudanese refugees have fled, authorities have suspended the visa exemption policy for Sudanese citizens due to the overwhelming numbers seeking asylum. Refugees are now forced to pay higher fees to smugglers or bribe border officials to cross into the country. Despite the challenges faced by Sudanese migrants in Calais and Egypt, NGOs like Utopia 56 and Caritas continue to provide essential support and assistance to those in need. The dedication and empathy shown by these volunteers are crucial in helping vulnerable migrants survive and navigate the complex challenges they face in their journey to safety.
