CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
PROVIDING ESSENTIAL AID TO TACKLE A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN CALAIS, MIRIAM BALANESCU GETS TO GRIPS WITH THE WORK AT CAMCRAG Across Oceans Action LEND A HAND
the journey to introduce the cohort’s volunteers,
ith 5.2 million Ukrainians recorded as
then matched to cars in the convoy, depending on levels of experience. Following the day’s work, the team regroups and catches up on the Saturday evening. Ella joined CamCRAG this January, but has already become a key member: “Everyone’s really interested when they ask what you were up to at the weekend. It’s a good way of spreading the word.” In response to the Ukraine crisis, CamCRAG’s Fifty/Fifty fundraiser splits its donations between NGOs in Moldova, welcoming more refugees per capita than any other country, and Calais. CamCRAG is concerned about negative narratives regarding Syrian, Afghani and Iraqi refugees pervasive in British media. “Ukrainians need and deserve the support,” says Marissa, “but we don’t want to forget
displaced – compared to 89.3 million displaced worldwide – the thoughts of many have turned to the refugee crisis. While recent events have sent shockwaves through Europe, the issue of asylum seekers in the UK has been fraught for years, and its frontier has long been Calais. Over a pint in 2015, CamCRAG – Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group – was formed. Soon, the distressing report of toddler Alan Kurdi’s death galvanised multitudes to get involved, organising convoys crammed with donations and financial aid. In 2016, what had been dubbed ‘the Jungle’ was demolished, forcing thousands landscape shift. “The camps in Calais now are not static in the same way,” she explains. “There were churches, shops and little schools. Moving people away doesn’t get rid of the problem. Since that time, there’s never been fewer than 2,000 people in Calais – just stuck there.” to flee. Catharine, chair of CamCRAG’s executive committee, witnessed the
all those that have come before. Things are easily
forgotten, especially when your government even deflects the issue on to Rwanda.” “During our March convoy, the first
A COMMUNITY THAT CARES CamCRAG offers a tangible way to assist in alleviating some of the challenges those experiencing displacement face
away,” explains Catharine. “Former chair Lara had the sensible idea that if you’re wearing your blanket, it couldn’t be taken. Our Poncho Project group get together and do batch cutting and sewing.” During lockdown, convoys were halted, but other areas flourished – including fundraising, material donations and financial aid. And yet, connecting with refugees is one of the charity’s merits. “We hope to bring energy and new life to the long-termers who are there in a very challenging environment for months,” she says. “You’re always firefighting because the solutions are at a far higher level. We’re just trying to help on a day-to-day basis.” Community is at the charity’s core: a WhatsApp group is made prior to
Ukrainians arrived in Calais expecting consular help and to be ushered across the channel, only to find the whole place is a total mess,” continues Catharine. “Simultaneously, they were given accommodation, food and a civic welcome by the mayor. Metres away, refugees from other nations were routinely roughed up by police and basically treated like waste.” As well as its focus on northern France, the charity’s ties to its home city are fierce. Its annual major fundraiser funnels aid to local charities such as Sleep Out and Wintercomfort. “Homelessness is homelessness, whether you’re in Cambridge or Calais,” insists Catharine. Find out more at camcrag.org.uk.
The situation unfolding so close by enables CamCRAG volunteers to make a direct impact. “I was disturbingly aware there was a humanitarian crisis only 23 miles over the border,” says Maggie, involved with convoys from Cambridge for seven years. “CamCRAG offers a very practical way to feel like you’re making a difference,” adds Marissa, chair of trustees. “It is a tangible means to get things done.” For those who prefer not mucking in with the groundwork, there’s an abundance of ways to get involved, including the long- loved ‘Poncho Project’. “There were news reports about police clearing people’s stuff
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