When the sprawling so called 'Jungle' refugee camp was razed by the French authorities in October of last year, it was clear that this would not be the end of the terrible struggle for thousands of refugees fleeing war and torture. With many still unaccounted for, the woods around Calais and Dunkirk have once again become home to an estimated 700 refugees, including more than 120 unaccompanied children, sleeping rough.

Authorities have attempted to cut these groups off from charities providing food, shelter and emotional support; reports of police brutality and tear gassing are commonplace; and the French state medical services have been refusing to treat refugees . What is clear is that, despite a death in media coverage since the closure of the camps, there is a group of people out there who need help more than ever.

There are several UK organisations on the ground who are responding to this urgent need, and are desperate for more volunteers and donations Between the 21st-24th September, a group of medical students and doctors from the Medact ‘Refugee Solidarity Group’ will be travelling to Northern France to provide much needed first aid, emotional support and advocacy for patients in obvious need of secondary care but who have previously been refused.

We are currently crowdfunding for supplies for the trip and any small donation will go a long way to bringing medical supplies to a group who have been failed time and time again by society. Examples of essential treatment that is currently lacking (as requested by current medical volunteers out there):

• Antifungals to treat complications of fungal foot infections (worryingly there have been recent reports of Trenchfoot – http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugees-calais-suffering-trench-foot-squalid-conditions-take-their-toll-children-diagnosed-sleeping-a7905006.html)

• Oral rehydration salts to manage the potentially life threatening complications of diarrhoea.

• Paracetamol and ibuprofen for simple analgesia.

Thank you so much for your help,

The Refugee Solidarity Group - Medact

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