They denounce a recurring and “ineffective” “harassment policy”. Several migrant aid associations deplored this Tuesday the “return” of food distribution bans in the city center of Calais, after a few months without prefectural decrees. Since August 14, the Pas-de-Calais prefecture has prohibited associations not mandated by the State from distributing water and food at two quays in the city center, an order renewed Monday until September 6.
Similar orders, but over a larger area of 31 streets, were taken between September 2020 and April 2022, provoking the ire of associations. The measure was then intended “to prevent the risks associated with Covid-19 and public order disturbances”, according to the prefecture. The new decree this time is “intended to respond to the difficulties following the recent and dangerous installation of migrant tents in this area where the circulation of heavy goods vehicles and vehicles is particularly important and where the accumulation of waste has been observed. “argues the prefecture.
“Dissuade people from staying”
“We are disgusted. We thought we were done with that, ”reacted Pierre Roques, coordinator in Calais of the association Auberge des migrants. “It proves to us that the policy of the new prefect, who took office at the beginning of August, is in line with his predecessor”, he regretted. “There are a hundred people there, including families, unaccompanied minors. The State does not intervene there, ”added Juliette Delaplace, project manager at Secours Catholique. “The idea is to starve people, to cut off food to dissuade people from staying,” she added.
“We are, recurrently, in completely stupid, ineffective orders” because these people “who are fleeing the attacks, the war, will continue to come”, judged Jean-Claude Lenoir, president of the Salam association, denouncing this ” harassment as the only policy”.