Students from Dundee University are working to help the Scottish and UK Governments better understand the refugee crisis.
A group from the city are busy fundraising for a trip to the massive refugee camps at Calais and Dunkirk in France.
There, thousands of refugees have become trapped, corralled behind fences with their efforts to continue onwards to the UK prevented by the authorities.
In March, French authorities moved in to the Calais migrant camp to demolish the semi-permanent homes that some of the 3,500 people living there had created.
Huge concerns have been raised about the health and well-being of those people, while there have been claims that using terms such as “The Jungle” to describe the Calais camp lead to the dehumanising of residents and propagate fears that the arrival of any of their number in the UK is something to be feared.
Now, student members from the Dundee Social Work Action Network (SWAN) want to report on the living conditions and the mental health of those living in the two camps.
They will have a particular focus upon the plight of children within the camps – and those who have become separated from their parents in particular.
Their findings will be collected within a report, which will then be presented to both the Scottish and UK Governments as part of National Refugee Week, which takes place between June 20 and 26.
Important work
Dr Jane Fenton, a senior lecturer from the university’s school of education and social work, is helping the group.
She said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for Dundee University and I am incredibly proud to assist our students in undertaking this important humanitarian endeavour.”
The students hope to travel to France early next month.
Amy Kenyon said the plight of the refugees was an issue that had touched all of the students involved.
She said: “As student social workers we are concerned about issues of child protection and unaccompanied children who have very little support.
“A worrying number continue to go missing.
“It’s a massive humanitarian issue, which many people fear the UK government are not taking appropriate responsibility for.”
To help the students raise the money needed to enable them to travel to France, visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/DundeeStudentSWAN.
