AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED
Northern France, 7th October 2026
We arrived in autumnal sunshine and drove with the mobile clinic to the distribution area outside Dunkirk, following a briefing. Earlier this week, two further deaths at sea were reported.
On site, the Médecins du Monde Hauts-de-France team set up the mobile clinic efficiently, while we observed the physical landscape struggling with the challenges of over a thousand people living outside. We set a small exhibition up on the side of the psychosocial van while inside two sisters came to draw while their mother was seeing the doctor. A young woman spoke about feeling stressed. Using plasticine, we reminded her that rhythmic breathing can help to calm oneself down.
About an hour into our session the whole team needed to leave the living site quickly due to security reasons, and we returned to the MDM office to debrief with the team. Although the session was short and ended too early, we were again reminded of the immense complexities of this border setting. We collectively noted the number of women and small children. The medical team noted the increase in people with severe burns, mostly on their legs, from the lethal mixture of fuel and seawater.
On the Calais beach the rain began; strong wind blowing saltwater horizontally. The change of weather from the morning was abrupt. Our thoughts go to everyone so determined to make a better life for themselves and their families while living outside in such difficult conditions.
Words by Miriam Usiskin & Bobby Lloyd.
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