Post by Emmaus St Albans on Sept 9, 2015 12:40:03 GMT
If you are looking to plan your own trip over to Calais, this post is here to help. Your feedback is more than welcome to improve and update the document.
Take your time
There has been an an emergency situation for years now. We need the most efficient help possible. Chances are that fellow humans will still be stuck at the border in a few month's time, unfortunately. It is better to use energy and resources wisely than to rush.
Get support
Dealing with an aid convoy on your own is a complicated exercise. You will have tough times, physically and mentally, from organising to loading up to seeing the conditions in the Jungle. Several collaborating brains work better than just one. Seek support.
Evaluate needs
We need very few printers, but a lot of socks - the list of needs changes regularly depending on what gets donated. See below for a list of contacts local to Calais who will be able to give you information on what they currently need.
Evaluate costs
This is voluntary work which comes with financial costs. Prepare it long before so you aren't surprised and don't stuck half way. Travelling from London is not the same as traveling from Manchester, so make a budget before you begin. Inform those around you. There is a constant need for help in Calais. The more you spread the word and share your experience, the better it is. Extend the network!
Choose a local contact
Never just turn up at the Jungle with a car of things. Go through a local group who can distribute things with more knowledge of how best to do so. There are several groups, NGO's, and associations working in Calais with and for the migrants. While their primary focus might be different (health, food, clothing, police abuses...) and with a different identity (political, religion...) they are all here to help and do so. The most important is that you get the right contact for you, so you can deliver your aid convoy.
For a list of contacts go to www.facebook.com/notes/calais-migrant-solidarity-action-from-uk/contact-index/884879381586810
Make a detailed list, and pack items considerately
Help the associations and groups to receive you and your delivery in the most effective way as possible by making a detailed list of what you're bringing. Include a summary of manpower, storage capacity, distribution capacity, etc. Only pack cleaned items, and pack them according to type, with clear labels including, for example, shoe size on each box. The local volunteers are struggling to sort donations.
Inform your local contact. Please call your local contact at least 48 hours before you leave.
Check your truck / van /car
What's worse than breaking down on the highway? Breaking down with 300 kilos of aid convoy. It sounds obvious but make sure that your vehicle can make it to Calais!
Document your trip, but do so with respect
Please make sure to respect anonymity of the migrating people you meet. It is very important to document what you have done to encourage others, and report the reality of the situation, but this needs to be done considerately.
Don't expect to meet the refugees
While the refugees might be happy to meet people willing to help them, to show you their living condition, and while the local association/groups/NGO's might be happy to show you around, they might simply not have the time or the opportunity (it's pretty tense down there).
Take your time
There has been an an emergency situation for years now. We need the most efficient help possible. Chances are that fellow humans will still be stuck at the border in a few month's time, unfortunately. It is better to use energy and resources wisely than to rush.
Get support
Dealing with an aid convoy on your own is a complicated exercise. You will have tough times, physically and mentally, from organising to loading up to seeing the conditions in the Jungle. Several collaborating brains work better than just one. Seek support.
Evaluate needs
We need very few printers, but a lot of socks - the list of needs changes regularly depending on what gets donated. See below for a list of contacts local to Calais who will be able to give you information on what they currently need.
Evaluate costs
This is voluntary work which comes with financial costs. Prepare it long before so you aren't surprised and don't stuck half way. Travelling from London is not the same as traveling from Manchester, so make a budget before you begin. Inform those around you. There is a constant need for help in Calais. The more you spread the word and share your experience, the better it is. Extend the network!
Choose a local contact
Never just turn up at the Jungle with a car of things. Go through a local group who can distribute things with more knowledge of how best to do so. There are several groups, NGO's, and associations working in Calais with and for the migrants. While their primary focus might be different (health, food, clothing, police abuses...) and with a different identity (political, religion...) they are all here to help and do so. The most important is that you get the right contact for you, so you can deliver your aid convoy.
For a list of contacts go to www.facebook.com/notes/calais-migrant-solidarity-action-from-uk/contact-index/884879381586810
Make a detailed list, and pack items considerately
Help the associations and groups to receive you and your delivery in the most effective way as possible by making a detailed list of what you're bringing. Include a summary of manpower, storage capacity, distribution capacity, etc. Only pack cleaned items, and pack them according to type, with clear labels including, for example, shoe size on each box. The local volunteers are struggling to sort donations.
Inform your local contact. Please call your local contact at least 48 hours before you leave.
Check your truck / van /car
What's worse than breaking down on the highway? Breaking down with 300 kilos of aid convoy. It sounds obvious but make sure that your vehicle can make it to Calais!
Document your trip, but do so with respect
Please make sure to respect anonymity of the migrating people you meet. It is very important to document what you have done to encourage others, and report the reality of the situation, but this needs to be done considerately.
Don't expect to meet the refugees
While the refugees might be happy to meet people willing to help them, to show you their living condition, and while the local association/groups/NGO's might be happy to show you around, they might simply not have the time or the opportunity (it's pretty tense down there).
