Volunteers left helpless as refugees yearn for the basics

Today a quiet Iranian man approached me. He asked if we could distribute hand sanitiser. I sighed thinking of the evenings spent writing to companies begging for donations of sanitiser, but had to explain that we don’t have enough. It’s just too expensive to buy right now.

He innocently said: “But we need it – there is sickness and we can’t wash our hands.”

I felt so guilty because I was wearing gloves and would be washing my hands many times that day. The inequality was a gulf between us. ‘Helpless’ is an understatement for how I feel right now.

I looked around then walked quickly to my car. Reaching in I handed him my personal bottle – 150ml, so at least not a tiny supply. Enough to get me through that one helpless moment but in reality, just helping one man out of one thousand.

Refugees in Calais can’t access the most basic means to keep themselves safe. There is no running water and continual evictions have squashed them into small areas where social distancing is simply not possible.

Please support our urgent appeal to see them through this terrible time here.