Provide shelters to migrants in Calais [Stopped]

• UPDATE 5/12: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CalaisMigrantSolid...
• UPDATE 26/10: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CalaisMigrantSolid...
• UPDATE 29/09:
• UPDATE 22/09: https://assets.gogetfunding.com/blog-single-update/?blogpr...

Last minute edit: I just saw now a message asking me for a substantial refund of 3450€. Fine. Though, if you want a refund please ask for it now, on this thread, so I'm sure to not miss it. I'm barely able to look at my inbox. This obviously changes the whole calculation.

Thanks.

The initial project was meant to run from the 10th August to 16th September.
The goal was to buy just 1 humanitarian tent.

Looking at the enthusiasm around this campaign, the end date has been moved, to start with, to the 1st October and then to December.

After a first order in late October of 12 tents, completed by some material later on, we managed, in a bit more than a month, to gather funds for potentially 19-20 more tents. From 5 persons initially to 160+ persons.

We gathered a total of 41,160.00 € (44 610 - a last minute refund request of 3450) when our initial target, in the early days, was 1350€.

This is 3304%, 33 times more than I ever expected. I've been helped along the way. Often morally, sometimes practically. Though the fact is a customer service employee isn't trained or educated to manage this kind of project. There were mistakes. There were a lot of learning. Most people have been supportive and sometimes tolerant, whenever challenging sometimes. A handful has been working pro-actively against this project. Which is fine.½½

Now, the money will be sent to Salam, once gathered from the different accounts (eWallet, PayPal...) and the order with CanvasCamp will be processed.

The main issue will be the timing. While the tents are already, obviously, needed now, the supplier will need time to produce them again as we bought their remaining stock in October. With hopefully a delivery time in late January - early February, they will still be needed, that's not the wonder.

However I can't change the project. I started this project so humans could get humanitarian material. The waiting is extremely frustrating, but painfully needed so we achieve our goal.

Find below the project as it was described.

► THE PROJECT ◄

• What's the issue?

Migrants are living in the "Jungle" in Calais in really poor conditions.

Canvas sheets and pallets, when they find some, become their "home". It's also extremely dangerous: fire, wind, heavy rain, tough winters...participate in destroying pretty fast any shelter. It creates real health concern and their belongings get wasted pretty fast.

• What could be the solution?

They need a proper refugee camp. We would therefor need really adapted equipment. Instead of second hand camping tents, canvas sheets and pallets, it would be great to bring them actual shelters which fit with UNHCR standards. A refugee camp goes beyond the shelters, obviously, but it starts there.

This way, plenty of health issues and dignity issue could be solved.

• The goal:

Providing before winter, one shelter at a time, better living condition to people living in Calais' "Jungle".

We are now working with specialized entities to figure out the best, and the most, out of our fundraising. It is quite a game changer.

A "naked" (without winterisation and stove) tent would cost 400€. However, no tent is gonna be delivered with the full pack: this is a matter of safety, health and dignity.
Looking at different numbers, we expect the final price to be +50%. TBC

Those new tents can host 5 person at UNHCR standards.

For 12 000€:
With the first model of complete tent (1350€ - 8 persons) we could house: 71 persons
With the second model of complete tent (expected around 600€ - 5 persons) we could house: 100 persons.

Previous goals (with more expensive model)
Started on 10th August;
First goal reached: 16th August

1350€: A shelter tent for 8 persons, a "burnblock" liquid, a stove and a water tank to provide warm water.

Second goal reached, 5th September:

2700€: 2 shelter tents for 8 persons each, both fully equipped.

Third goal reached, 6th September:

4050€: 3 shelter tents for 8 persons each, both fully equipped.

So our new aim was to reach 12 000€, at least, until we get more information on the final cost.

• What are the requirements?

We need to be able to buy 20 tents to make an order. 20 "naked" (without winterisation and stove) tents cost 8000€.
→ Though, no tent will end up in Calais without having the full package. Our (wild) guess, looking at other numbers, is that it costs +50% to get the full package:
Stoves + Winterisation

The tents we are buying need to be at current UNHCR / IRC standards.

• How does it integrate?

Integration is essential. This project has been built this way for several reasons.

- Humanitarian material is what's needed. Standards are set so they fit with people's needs. This is the reason why we are going for this material.
- The French governments used bulldozers in the past, and is now planning to replace the slum, early 2016, by a refugee camp with 120 humanitarian tents for 20 persons. Though, it's only gonna cover half of the needs, if not less. However, for "sanitary reasons", "safety reasons"...they might just be clearing the ground. So, before the French government starts acting, we wanna make a project which fits and has less chances to meet bulldozers.

We are also in contact with other projects which will help bringing more dignity, safety, health, comfort...to the people living in The Jungle:

--> Sleeping bags for Calais: https://assets.gogetfunding.com/sleeping-bags-for-calais/
--> Camper Beds For Refugees In Calais: https://assets.gogetfunding.com/camper-beds-for-refugees-i...

Those will help providing a full set of basic needs for people to go through the winter.

• How do we make it come true?

I am coordinating with volunteers from UK, often on the ground, to make it come true.

But most importantly, I will rely on different association and groups such as Salam, l'Auberge des Migrants or Calais Migrant Solidarity, as they are the most experienced on the ground to receive, build and distribute those shelters. More advanced discussion happened already with Salam. Stay tuned.

Each 12 000€ could help 100 persons to have access to an adapted, sane and safe shelter with ability to warm up, cook, and get hot water all year round.

• Get your community in the "Jungle" ! - Sponsoring tents
  
  Each donation from one group of 400€ and above will get a tent named after its city, school, uni...

• How can you help?

Spread the word! If you are here, there is big chances that you feel very much concerned by the respect of human dignity in general, and even more on the European ground. Facebook, Twitter, colleagues, family, neighbors...don't hesitate to mention and share this project with your own words so more people can get a safe shelter this w

All donation from 5€ are welcome. Under 5€ the different fees for each donation might be too expensive.

• Who am I?

I am a 26 years old French man living in Denmark, so I'm a migrant, dad of an 11 month old baby boy. I wish for others the same I wish for my family, starting with a sane place to live in.
I am also administrating the Facebook Group "Calais - People to People Solidarity - Action from UK". I had the opportunity to go to Calais 5 years ago where I stayed with Calais Migrant Solidarity. Just can't accept that 5 years later the situation is still the same.

• Contact

Please feel free to contact me for more information at this address: [email protected]