two refugees tell how they are investing today to help those who still live on the streets

Five years ago to the day the dismantling of the “jungle” began in Calais. A sort of shanty town installed on a vast vacant lot 5 kilometers on foot from the city center where hundreds of migrants were gathered who arrived in France with the particular hope of joining Great Britain and having a better life. Five years later, most of them are far away, some of them in Great Britain or elsewhere in France. But others remained in Calais.

In the premises of the Catholic Help, not far from the port, Abdullah hurries, in a few minutes the day reception for migrants will be open. This 25-year-old Afghan is now a volunteer with the association. He lived in the “jungle” of Calais. After his dismantling he passed through the Grande-Synthe camp. The galley then continued. “I spent three years in the street. I slept in the parks, in the train station, I slept where I could find a place to spend the night. I woke up in the morning and nothing had changed, the same city, the same problems. Life was very difficult for me, as it was for the people I knew “, he explains.

“Now I have my residence permit and I feel Calaisien, I love this city and I want to stay in Calais.”

Abdullah, 25

to franceinfo

Today, Abdullah’s life is totally different. He has refugee status, lives in an apartment in Calais and is even looking for a job. “My state of mind is not the same as before, he said. I am very happy with what is happening to me and I hope the best for the other people who were on the street before. ” Robel, 29, is also a volunteer at Secours Catholique. This former Eritrean soldier lived for two months in the Calais “jungle” and then in the street. His asylum application is in progress. Today, he is active in helping those in need.

“I like helping people, it’s my passion because I know what these migrants are going through.”

Robel, 29 years old

to franceinfo

Abdullah also feels this need to help and, moreover, he only hopes for one thing, that the situation of migrants today is improving. “A lot of things are happening. There are wounded, dead, people going mad. A number of things must be changed in Calais for the refugees and not to let people sleep in the streets, especially families. and children. “ According to Secours Catholique, around 1,500 exiled people now live in Calais.