The population of Bidart will increase by around fifty inhabitants at least until February 20. And for good reason, from this Thursday, it will welcome refugees from camps in northern France. “The state and prefecture services were looking for sites on which it is possible to accommodate them”, explains the mayor of Bidart, Emmanuel Alzuri. “They surveyed an establishment in the city that hosts summer camps, reached an agreement with it and then consulted us. We accepted, it is a question of showing humanity.“The refugees will therefore be housed at the Bi-Izarrak centre, but this reception will take place under certain conditions.
“Not at any price”
Despite the obvious enthusiasm of the Bidartars, it is out of the question for this reception to take place “whatever the price” reveals Emmanuel Alzuri. “The priority remains the Bidartars. This is why there is a deadline, February 20.” That is a period of one month, to see how the cohabitation is going between the inhabitants of Bidart and the refugees. “JI sincerely believe that it will go well, says the aedile. But if not, on February 20, we will stop everything“A way to keep control of this”situation“. And even if Emmanuel Alzuri recognizes that it may be necessary to force oneself to take the step, he says he remains certain that this initiative will be a success.
The Bidartars already ready to help
For the town hall as for the inhabitants of Bidart, this welcome is a matter of common sense and duty to show humanity. “It was time to stop watching what is happening elsewhere and act to help” opines Emmanuel Alzuri. “Me, I say congratulations” smiles Pascale, close to the town hall of the city. “They must have a place to sleep, if I could I would even take some at home“says Pierre, who came to search at La Gratuiterie.
In this associative shop, where nothing can be bought but where everything is bartered, Isabelle, a volunteer, is already ready to help. “There is everything here, all you have to do is give us their measurements, and we will gladly help them.” One outpouring of solidarity on which Emmanuel Alzuri would have bet: “en Basque, Bidart is called Bidarte, which means, “crossroads”, where all kinds of people can meet. Our city was ideal for this welcome.”