Help BARAC raise money to by essential items plus traditional foods, hair and skin products to take to Refugees in Calais

DONATE HERE

BARAC UK is involved in coordinating aid convoys to Calais. In addition to the regular food parcel distributions made to  refugees stuck in limbo in horrific conditions in the Calais 'camp' known as 'The Jungle' we have carried out solidarity and fact finding visits and we are fundraising for additional items needed. 

Many people are forced to walk for hours to collect firewood to cook on which in the cold weather is problematic. We have raised funds previously for two  cooking stoves and gas cylinders but many more are needed. 

 In addition to the stoves cooking utentils, pots and pans are needed.

We also want to purchase some traditional food items, for example dried fish and cornmeal flour as well as African hair and  skin products. which have been specifically requested.

Some other items needed  are:

arts supplies for the art school in the camp
dictionaries for the library
 waterproof outer clothing
thermals
warm hats
tights
leggings 
waterproof sturdy shoes 
sanitary towels
tents 

 Many people have makeshift shelters which are easily destroyed in adverse weather. 

DONATE HERE on go fund me and help us raise funds to take this items to our sisters and brothers in Calais. 

Watch the documentary of our solidarity visit made by film-maker Ray Rakaba here: WATCH

BARAC & Convoys 2 Calais - Refugee Solidarity Summit 24th October

BARAC is part of Convoys2Calais, regularly distributing food and essential items in the shanty town known as 'The Jungle' in Calais where an estimated 5000 refugees are stuck in limbo.  

Last weekend we distributed 1600 food parcels as part of the convoy and BARAC also took 100 books to the library there and cooking stoves as our sisters and brothers there are having to collect fire wood to cook.

You can read our report and watch the video made by documentary film maker Ray Rakaba who accompanied us on a solidarity visit in September here:

http://www.blackactivistsrisingagainstcuts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/video-documenting-barac-uk-noi.html

http://blackactivistsrisingagainstcuts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/solidarity-visit-to-calais-by-black.html

Information about the Convoys, what is needed and how to donate can be accessed here: www.convoys2calais.com

In addition to the food we will distribute as part of Convoys2Calais additional items needed include water proof clothing, shoes, thermals, warm hats, tights, leggings,  cooking stoves and cooking pots and utensils, African hair products and skin products, cornmeal flour, dried fish and salt fish and other traditional food items.  Also the library require books in English, French and Arabic and are particularly in need of dictionaries. 

We also visited the art school last weekend and they are in need of art materials. 

A new class room is also being built and we were asked to put a call out for people who can construct toilets. If you know anyone who has these skills please ask them to get in touch. 

If you can donate, contribute or fundraise please get in touch.  Anyone planning to visit with donations are advised to make contact with the charities in Calais first to ensure coordination. 

London2Calais have organised a Refugee Solidarity Summit  on 24th of October, which BARAC will be participating in and speaking at - details are below. 

By: London2Calais

As winter approaches, the future of desperate refugees around Europe looks both uncertain and frightening, in light of this London2Calais are excited to announce The Refugee Solidarity Summit : Open the Borders Now! The event will be held at the Bloomsbury Baptist Church, on October 24, from 11am-5pm. A wide variety of topics will be covered by a number of incredible speakers and activists:



Zita Holbourne: National Co-Chair Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK - Refugees and Racism 

Muzna (Syrian Activist) - Personal experiences

Matthew Powell (Breaking Barriers) - Providing support for newcomers upon arrival

Zoe Gardner - Movement Against Xenophobia (MAX)

Abdulaziz Almashi (Co-Founder, Syria Solidarity Movement & Co-Organiser, Solidarity with Refugees' march)

Humans of the Refuge

Sophie Williams (DocsNotCops) - The Immigration act of 2014 and the NHS

Movement for Justice

RS21 - Revolutionary Socialism, 21st Century

More speakers to be confirmed!



Please join us for what promises to be an informative and inspiring day, where we can come together and discuss ideas regarding how to end this crisis for good. The government have no intention of supporting refugees or opening the border and it is down to us to force them.

Tea, coffee, and food will of course be available, too.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/refugee-solidarity-summit-open-the-borders-now-tickets-19030138657

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/549005138589254/

Video documenting BARAC UK & NOI solidarity visit to refugees in Calais

On 21st September, representatives of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts & the Nation of Islam visited the shanty town in Calais that refugees are forced to live in to bring solidarity & aid. Travelling with us was film maker & journalist Ray Rakaba who documented the day. This is the story of what is really happening that we will never see on mainstream newus as refugees there are labeled & demonised.


Watch the film here

BARAC UK is part of London2Calais , taking food & essential items to Calais twice a month.

We will be taking two BARAC  cars - one sponsored by the PCS Union - as part of a 20 car convoy, to Calais on 3 October. You can help by donating towards the cost of food www.convoys2calais.com, organising fundraising events - items needed include water proof coats, outer wear, hats, thermals, cooking items, stoves, sanitary towels. We also need people with cars willing to collect food from a warehouse in the UK & drive this to Calais (usually on a Saturday), then assist with making food parcels & distributing to our sisters & brothers in Calais. Contact barac.info@gmail.com.