In 2016, the French government ordered the demolition of all temporary refugee camps. Since then, refugees have been forced to sleep rough, or in makeshift camps in the woods. 

There are an estimated 1500 refugees living in the forests of Calais and Dunkirk in Northern France, and around 200 of these people are thought to be unaccompanied children. Many of the people in Dunkirk are young families with newborn babies.

It’s cold and wet, especially during the winter months, and police regularly raid the camps in acts of aggression, confiscating and destroying people’s tents, tarpaulins and belongings. 

What aid do refugees need in Northern France?

Buy real items to meet the daily needs of refugees in Calais and Dunkirk. Providing good quality dry clothes, sleeping bags and tents as well as regular, small food packages is the priority for refugees in Northern France at present.