France

Extremely high rates of COVID-19 infection have been found amongst people living in overcrowded and poor conditions in and around the French capital, according to a seroprevalence survey conducted by MSF, Epicentre and the Institut Pasteur between 23 June and 2 July at 14 sites in the Ile-de-France region where MSF teams were providing medical assistance.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected millions of people around the world, overwhelming health systems, disrupting supply chains, and upending economics.

On 24 March, MSF began providing medical support to health authorities fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the city and suburbs around Paris, France. Annelise Coury is coordinating our response to COVID-19 in the region, and describes the situation.

As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread across France, teams from MSF have begun providing medical care to vulnerable people confined in emergency shelters or still living on the streets or in makeshift camps in Paris and the suburbs.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has expanded activities in response to COVID-19 in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, Norway, Greece and Belgium.

This week, in consultation with France’s health authorities, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is setting up activities to help detect and manage COVID-19 cases among the most vulnerable populations in Paris and the surrounding region.

Hundreds of young migrants and asylum seekers across France are being forced to sleep rough because of the state’s failure to provide them with accommodation during the winter months.

Unaccompanied minors are vulnerable adolescents in great distress: while they need help, a complex system discourages them from seeking the help to which they are entitled.

Although close to 1,000 kilometres separate the Italian border from the Spanish border in the Basque country, rights’ violations and French police methods are much the same.

A system of shelter, care and guidance provided in a secure and humane environment is urgently needed.

Winter is approaching and temperatures are dropping, but about 1,000 refugees and migrants are still sleeping in the streets of Paris.

Since the end of 2016, MSF has started providing maternal care and first mental support to migrants in transit towards France, stuck at the border and with no access to basic care.

While 3,000 adults are said to have left during the first two days of the dismantling of the Calais Jungle, many questions regarding the fate of unaccompanied minors in the camp remain unanswered. On 25 October, MSF observed in the registration hangar that the authorities’ process for separating minors from was being handled summarily and solely on the basis of a hasty assessment of physical appearance.

The refugee camp known as ‘La Linière’ in Grande-Synthe, on the outskirts of Dunkirk, northern France, is to close its doors to new arrivals, according to local authorities.