Nord, France – Grande Synthe, a makeshift refugee camp near Dunkirk and Calais, sits on an outdated railway line.
About 250 individuals stay right here and attempt to combat the bitter winter chilly temperatures, which may drop to as little as -5 levels Celsius (23 levels Fahrenheit), by huddling in tents and small picket shelters, or lighting fires.
Two months have handed since 27 individuals died in a refugee boat tragedy between France and the UK that shocked activists and spurred a diplomatic spat between the neighbours over methods to stem crossings.
However the perilousness of the journey has failed to discourage asylum seekers in northern France who hope to succeed in England.
Of the victims recognized by French police, 16 had been Iraqi Kurds, a few of whom had been dwelling at Grande Synthe, generally generally known as the camp for Kurdish refugees in northern France.
Most refugees listed below are Kurdish, and there are girls and lone youngsters amongst them.
“Grande Synthe is run by Kurdish smugglers,” Claire Millot, the final secretary of the native charity Salam, informed Al Jazeera. “In Calais, there are nonetheless individuals who haven’t any smugglers, who strive their luck alone.
“In Calais, life is way tougher. Police evict individuals and take their tents each two days, however it’s a bit extra comfy, there are bogs, showers, and water factors. In Grande Synthe, there’s none of these issues, however evictions are rarer, about two or thrice a month.”
As they queue for water, meals, and garments donated by native NGOs, individuals discover methods to maintain their spirits up. Typically, that is with storytelling – recounting recollections from their homeland and praying to make it safely to England. These private tales are embodied by the vital objects they carried with them: a small woman loves her scooter, a younger man retains his soccer shut, one other wears a necklace of his nation’s flag.
Al Jazeera spoke to refugees in Grande Synthe about their treasured objects:
‘This scooter is like my finest good friend’
Haven, 10, from the Kurdish area of northern Iraq
“I’ve no buddies right here, so this scooter is like my finest good friend. It means a lot to me. I simply received it two days in the past from an area charity, a volunteer gave it to me, and I haven’t let go of it since. I used to have a bicycle much like this in Rania, however I needed to let it go after we left to make the journey. I stored eager about it on our good distance right here, I felt so unhappy with out it. I left all the pieces in Kurdistan. Right here I’m very poor, the scooter is the one factor I’ve. It makes me so completely happy to have it.
“I needed to say goodbye to so many buddies in Kurdistan. I used to take a lot of boxing courses with a lot of them as effectively. I used to be a champion there, I’m very robust. I miss all of them quite a bit, however I nonetheless speak to them utilizing my mum’s telephone. My buddies ask me if I’m in France and the way I’m doing, I inform them I’m completely happy, I’m going to England.”
‘This image is essential to me’
Disguise, 30, from the Kurdish area of northern Iraq
“It is a image of me as an ambulance driver in Rania, Iraqi Kurdistan. This image is essential to me. It makes me completely happy as a result of it jogs my memory how I helped many individuals as an ambulance driver. Individuals used to name me for assist and I used to be there. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, I used to be very busy particularly. My wage was very low, however I by no means regretted any of it. I used to be completely happy as a result of I used to be serving to individuals. I did this job for eight years, and I hope I can do it once more sometime, perhaps in England, however I don’t know if I’ll be given the chance.”
‘I used to be knowledgeable soccer participant’
Dyo, 25, from the Kurdish area of northern Iraq:
“I used to be knowledgeable soccer participant again in Kurdistan, I performed for 15 years, even for the nationwide crew. I used to be a goalkeeper. My telephone’s wallpaper is a picture of Zidane, my favorite participant. In 2006, when France misplaced within the World Cup last towards Italy, I used to be so unhappy I didn’t eat for a complete day.
“Earlier than coming right here, I used to be in Germany for one 12 months, however then they needed to ship me again to Bulgaria, the primary nation I arrived in [because of the Dublin regulation], so I left to Italy, and stayed there for 2 years, principally within the northern metropolis of Bolzano.
“I come from Soran in Iraqi Kurdistan, I left as a result of all my buddies left as effectively for Europe. I plan on going again now as a result of my mom may be very sick, and I actually miss her and the remainder of my household.
“I remorse leaving Kurdistan now. After I was in Bulgaria, I regretted it particularly as a result of they put me in jail and gave me one small can of fish and a chunk of bread in 24 hours. If I went again midway, I’d really feel ashamed. What would my buddies take into consideration me? If I spoke to my buddies from again house now, attempting to go to Europe, I might inform them ‘don’t go’. For some individuals, it really works out, however for me, life was higher over there.”
‘Since I left Afghanistan, I’ve had this necklace with me’
Senzai, 29, from Afghanistan:
“Eight months in the past, I walked from Afghanistan to Austria, passing by means of Iran, Turkey, Greece and extra. It was solely after Croatia that I got here by automobile, and likewise from Austria to France. I had no cash to maneuver one other means. I left with a good friend from Afghanistan, however we separated in Tehran. I’ve been in Grande Synthe for one month and I’ve already tried to cross two occasions. I can’t actually clarify why I wish to go to England, I’ve some buddies there, I’ve heard good issues about it.
“Since I left Afghanistan, I’ve had this necklace with me, of the Afghan flag. In Hungary, when the police stopped us and stripped us of all the pieces, I needed to conceal it. This necklace [is] so vital to me as a result of in Afghanistan we’ve given so many lives due to it, and now the Taliban don’t settle for it. This flag is all of my coronary heart. It’s made me very upset that the Taliban has taken over and eliminated it in every single place.”
‘A telephone smuggler took my telephone away’
Nowaz, 28, from Afghanistan:
“I’m from the Logar province in Afghanistan, I used to be a farmer from a really younger age. I’ve been in Grande Synthe for one week. I left Afghanistan 5 months in the past. It was very harmful for me, and I used to be afraid of the Taliban. I feel England is an effective nation, and I wish to spend the remainder of my life there. I just like the regulation there, and I feel individuals have a very good sense of humanity.
“The telephone was a very powerful factor for me to have, I might contact family and friends in Afghanistan, and discover out info in Europe. However I used to be in Austria per week in the past, and a smuggler pushed me and took my telephone away, with out cause. Now that I’m in Grande Synthe, with out a telephone, the few buddies I’ve are a very powerful factor to me.”