Calais Day 10

Today was a much more positive day than yesterday as we invested in some machetes. saws, shovels, rakes and strimmers to help the refugees clear land in the safe zone ready to move onto. We were working in the Afghan area clearing brambles, trees and other undergrowth and also litter picking.

Once we had cleared enough space, groups of men started moving whole shelters in. The shelters are wooden framed squarish structures covered with waterproof tarpaulins. Roughly 20 men worked to carry one shelter above their heads then install it in its new poition.

All day the CRS were patrolling the perimeter in full riot gear.

And towards the end of our day, we heard a rumour - which was confirmed by some colleagues - that they had started tear gassing the camp. But unusually, they seemed to have been stood down not long after they had started.

When we returned to our warehouse for the evening debrief, we were told that the French authorities had extended the deadline for the refugees to move into the safe zone. This now means that they have until Monday rather than the original Friday deadline. Apparently this is because the authorities can see how hard the refugees are working to move and how hard the aid agencies are working to help them. So we now have four more days in which to, hopefully, complete the move.

It was nice to receive a piece of good news in the face of the feeling of helplessness that can sometimes pervade the work here. Because the camp is unofficial the refugees are especially vulnerable and when the authorities here exercise the power of the French and British states in tandem one aid worker or one aid organisation can feel very small - letalone one refugee I should imagine.