Standing in solidarity with Refugees
Last week, our CEO Jay Perkins spent time with Charitable Roots, supporting in an unofficial refugee camp in Grande Synthe near Dunkirk. The majority of refugees are Black and racially minoritised and have experienced the continuing harm caused by colonialism & capitalism.
The conditions are stark and harsh, but the camp is currently home to people who are at the end of a long, often dangerous journey, and who are still hoping to reach the UK.
Volunteers at the camp
This isn’t a natural disaster. It’s not a border crisis, it’s a crisis of compassion, accountability, and political will. The conditions at the camp are shaped by policy, not by accident.
But still, people hold on with care, dignity, hope, and with each other.
The NGOs on the ground are doing what they can, but there are gaps, especially when it comes to culturally appropriate care.
Roots provides a community hub, essential resources, food, communication facilities, and around 100 hot showers a day, a vital act of dignity in such hard conditions.
Despite the majority of people in camp being Black and racially minoritised, one of the many thing that Jay noticed was the shortage of culturally appropriate hair and skin products.
Relationships with suppliers that stock or specialise in products for Afro hair and melanin-rich skin haven’t yet been built to sustain the demand, so those essentials just aren’t there. This might seem like a small thing. But it’s not. Dignity is not extra. Culture is not optional. Care must be specific.
So we’ve decided to get involved:
If you make, stock or produce products for Afro or textured hair, or melanin-rich skin and want to contribute, then we urge you to get in touch. If you have resources to donate, please contact: enquiries.roots@gmail.com
We’re supporting Roots to get these essentials to people who need them, and we’d love to connect with Black-owned suppliers or businesses.
And if you want to show you stand #TogetherWithRefugees in other ways, please consider volunteering, sharing and spreading the word, fundraising and donating: https://www.charitableroots.com/donations-page
Resources and organisations supporting migrants & refugees:
Praxis, for Migrants and Refugees
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
#BlackCareMatters #BlackHairMatters #Redistribute