Bishop ‘deeply concerned’ as Calais crisis deepens

August 11, 2015

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees lamented the worsening conditions in migrant camps in and around Calais, France, where an estimated 3,000 African and Asian refugees have gathered in the hope of entering the tunnel to Great Britain.

The English bishop responsible for migrants said he was “deeply concerned over the deepening humanitarian crisis involving thousands of migrants unfolding in Calais.”

“The crisis has developed over a decade and challenges us all, both as Christians and as Europeans,” said Bishop Patrick Lynch. “In solidarity with the most vulnerable migrants we recognize the local pastoral, humanitarian, and compassionate response from the French Church and call on the French authorities to redouble their efforts in providing adequate reception facilities for migrants.”

Noting that 137,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean Sea in the first six months of 2015-- up from 75,000 during the same period last year-- Bishop Lynch added that “the current migration crisis is complex and there are no easy solutions for governments, non–governmental organizations, faith groups and charities working on the field. However, governments, charities and humanitarian aid agencies should be encouraged to work together for a collaborative international response to the challenge in partnership with the countries of origin.”

 

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Further information:

• With conditions worsening for refugees in Calais, UN urges comprehensive response (UN)
• Bishop for Migrants ‘deeply concerned over the deepening humanitarian crisis’ in Calais (Catholic Church in England and Wales)
• Huge migrant camp in Calais takes on air of permanence (AP)
• British bishop calls for compassion for asylum seekers (CWN, 8/5)