Dr. Surindar Dhesi from the University of Birmingham presented the results of an independent Environmental Health Assessment carried out at the new migrant camp in Calais at our Dinner Meeting in February. She visited in July 2015 when there were 3000 people living in the camp. This ‘New Jungle’ had replaced smaller camps in April 2015

She spoke movingly about conditions at the camp, which were detrimental to the health of residents. Their countries of origin included Sudan, Eritrea, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ethiopia Egypt and Pakistan. Many reported fleeing war or other violent or oppressive situations where friends and relatives had lost their lives.

Surindar described how samples of food and stored water were analysed for bacteria that could cause disease. Swabs were taken from cooking surfaces, door handles and piped water points before being analysed at the University of Birmingham laboratories

Issues identified included:

• There were only 40 usable toilets for 3,000 residents, this is below any minimum standards for refugee camps

• Bacteria that can cause food poising was found on the food which was sampled. This was probably the cause of vomiting and diarrhoea reported by residents

• Storage containers previously used for chemical storage were used to store drinking water. Water supplies were a ten-minute walk away

• There were no facilities to wash and dry bedding or clothes. This facilitated the spread of scabies, bedbugs and lice

• Residents were hungry as they were only provided with one meal a day

• Tents and unstable structures used for sleeping were overcrowded

• High levels of particulates associated with open fires were found; these are risk factors for respiratory infections, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease

• Physical injuries from attempted border crossings, dangerous living conditions, and alleged physical abuse were common. Analgesia was prescribed on site as this was not administered by French hospitals

The assessment concluded that migrants in the informal camp were living in unsafe conditions which contribute to ill-health and injury. The inadequate provision of shelter, food, safe water, sanitation and security are likely to have detrimental health consequences for the camp’s residents.

Since the founding of the very first Soroptimist club in 1921, Soroptimist International has worked to bring positive change to the lives of women and girls worldwide, including the caring of refugees. SI Stourbridge& District Club were pleased to support these aims by presenting Dr. Dhesi with a donation for the charity care4calais

We meet on the first and third Wednesday at Hagley Golf and Country Club. Further information can be found on our website: http://sigbi.org/stourbridge/