Context of our Mission
The situation of people on the move in and around Dunkerque and Calais
Thousands of displaced people and refugees are currently living in and around Calais and Dunkirk. They come from Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, Libya, and other countries.
They leave their homes for various reasons, hoping to find peace and stability. Most live in makeshift shelters with very limited access to basic necessities.
Due to restrictive asylum policies, many people have little chance of being granted asylum in an EU member state. Many refugees have already been on the move for years. Above all, they long to reach a place where they can settle down and build a new life. For many, the UK represents their last chance to seek asylum on the European continent.
In the region around Calais and Dunkirk, they live in informal, makeshift camps while waiting for an opportunity to cross the English Channel by boat or lorry. With no legal route available for them to enter the UK, these crossings are life-threatening.
Most people are forced to live in tents in the city centre or in the surrounding forests, under intolerable and dangerous conditions.
Every day, they are exposed to psychological and physical violence, including at the hands of the police, and have limited access to essential necessities such as water, food and clothing, as well as medical care.
This is where No Border Medics comes in.
Other NGOs working in the area provide food, clothing, sleeping bags and other essential supplies.
No Border Medics provides accessible, on-site basic medical care at the distribution site in Dunkirk. With a mobile clinic and a volunteer medical team, we are there consistently and reliably throughout the year.
Because everyone has the right to medical care, regardless of their origin, immigration status or borders.
