Care4Calais in Brussels

Care4Calais visits Brussels every week, and today we brought packs with dried fruit and nuts provided by JungleCare, fresh underwear and socks, toiletries and bottles of water. We also distributed backpacks as these are important for people on the move.

The young men we met find life very difficult as there is often no provisions in place for them; priory is usually (and rightly) given to families, and the men always come last.

We heard stories from many people. One man told us that,as he arrived in Italy, everyone with him on the boat was systemically finger printed as they were processed and then told to go on their way. He later learned that, as he had been finger printed in Italy, he was bound by the Dublin III amendment to return and apply for asylum there. He said “they send you on your way and then you find out that you have no more journey, there are no real opportunities for refugees in Italy, only to be always homeless and with no jobs”.

We saw about 150 people today, everyone had a story, everyone had dreams and hope for a better life. Yet as winter closes in, the future for these people tonight remains uncertain, outside of their control and without promise.

To volunteer or donate go to www.care4calais.org