(Dan Tri) – Migrants in France are willing to accept all risks, including the risk of death, to pursue their dream of setting foot in England.
Migrants have to sleep in tents at a reserve in Dunkirk, France in the hope of being able to cross the border into the UK (Photo: Independent)
Salman, an Iraqi, and his family tried to cross the English Channel three times in the hope of reaching British shores.
Now, when the weather turns harsher and the journey across the sea becomes more difficult, Salman’s family has chosen another way to enter England, which is by truck.
The 42-year-old man knew he would likely die if he got into the back of a truck to smuggle to England, similar to the fate of the 39 bodies found in Essex last week.
“It’s very dangerous, but it’s even more dangerous to stay in Iraq.
Despite the risks
Police patrol the coast of Oye-Plage, near Calais, to prevent migrants from crossing the Channel into Britain.
Hundreds of people, including many families with young children, also live in similar makeshift camps about 50 km from Calais, France.
According to charities, migrants eager to set foot in the UK may have to pay up to 10,000 pounds (nearly 13,000 USD) to people smuggling gangs to secure their journey across the border into the UK by truck or boat.
Difficult living conditions in camps in France make more and more migrants willing to accept risks to cross the border into Britain.
According to statistics from the British Home Office, it is estimated that more than 3,000 people illegally crossed the English Channel into the UK.
Poor living conditions
French police expel migrants from the makeshift camp area.
Salman and his family are temporarily sleeping in a nature reserve in Grande-Synthe, Dunkirk – a place described by charities as having the worst living conditions for migrants in the area.
Health experts said that since last month, the immigrant community has been facing poor health conditions and increased illness, when they were forced to move to the reserve in Grande-Synthe due to being abused.
Activists said the anti-immigration campaign was launched by new mayor Martial Beyaert after he took power in July. Mayor Martial is said to have a `less humane` approach towards the community.
Ten members of the legislative assembly in Grande-Synthe resigned in protest against the migrant crackdown, including Dany Wallyn.
“We have never seen anything so bad.
Migrants have to drink water from the lake because they do not have access to clean water.
Chloe Lorieux, coordinator of the World Doctors Organization, said the situation in Dunkirk was `worse than ever`, with the organization having to treat between 40 and 60 migrants in concentration camps each year.
“Living conditions are so bad, when they can’t access water, they can’t maintain hygiene, and when their wounds get infected, they’re more likely to get sick and have a harder time recovering.
According to Ms. Chloe, the continuous raids also make migrants vulnerable to mental breakdown.
“Everyone is exhausted and very stressed.
Success
According to Independent