Jungle migrants in desperate need of clothes and food

The Church’s social action arm has issued an urgent call for donations for migrants at the camp in Calais known as the “Jungle” as evictions cause chaos and a desperate shortage of supplies.

Dr Phil McCarthy, chief executive of Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), said that migrants, forced out by the demolition of 70 per cent of the camp by French authorities earlier this month, have taken vital supplies with them, depleting camp warehouses of stock.

“We are renewing our call to Catholic parishes and communities for generous donations of warm, waterproof clothing, shoes and sleeping bags,” he said.

Phil Kerton, co-founder of the Kent-based Catholic charity Seeking Sanctuary, said he believed that as news of the demolition hit the media, people stopped donating supplies, believing the camp would cease to exist.

“By the end of the first week of demolitions the shelves in the warehouses were empty,” said Mr Kerton. “Supplies are going out as quickly as they come in.”

As demolition work began, the French Government estimated that 1,000 refugees would be affected by the clearance. It offered 750 places in a purpose-built facility nearby and said others could be helped to travel to alternative accommodation in France.

Mr Kerton estimated 2,000 of those evicted are now crammed into the remaining northern half of the camp, with others outside in fields and on wasteland. Food supplies, he said, are running low.