La Linière

La Linière was a refugee camp situated in Grande-Synthe, Dunkirk, France. A scaled-back version of an originally much larger plan,[1] the camp opened in March 2016 at a cost of around 4 million Euros.[2]

La Linière housed up to 1500 migrants when it opened with a population which was mainly Iraqi Kurds. The numbers fluctuated considerably during its time rising from around 600 in the summer of 2016 to 1600 in the autumn of 2016.[3] The camp was supported by AFEJI,[4] MSF, Utopia 56,[5] OFII, Edlumino Education Aid[6] and others.

The camp was troubled during its existence and there were allegations that women and children were being subject to rape and beatings in the camp,[7] and that many of the children were simply disappearing.[8] The French government also cited shooting and stabbing violence as issues of concern in the camp.[9]

The camp closed following a fire which occurred after fighting between Afghan and Kurdish residents of the camp in April 2017.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sage, Adam (1 January 2016). "Dunkirk plan for refugee camp raises fear of second Sangatte". The Times. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  2. ^ "France: MSF denounces decision condemning Dunkirk Refugee camp to probable closure". Medecins Sans Frontiers. MSF. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  3. ^ Alzayani, Razan (18 January 2017). "The Chill sets in at La Liniere, France's First Official Refugee Camp". Refugees Deeply. New Deeply. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  4. ^ "In La Liniere". Wordpress. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  5. ^ "17th August 2016: UTOPIA 56 PULL OUT OF CAMP". Calaid-opedia. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  6. ^ Scott, Natalie (27 April 2016). "Teaching in France's refugee camps". SecEd. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  7. ^ Townsend, Mark (12 February 2017). "Women and Children endure rape, beatings and abuse inside Dunkirk's refugee camp". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  8. ^ Staufenberg, Jessica (31 May 2016). "The disappearing pupils of France's Liniere camp". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  9. ^ Samuel, Henry (15 March 2017). "Dunkirk migrant camp must be dismantled 'as soon as possible' like Calais 'jungle' says French interior minister". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. ^ Escaillet, Corintin (11 April 2017). "Fire destroys French Migrant Camp after fight involving 150 refugees". The Independent. Retrieved 27 April 2017.