“Here, it’s poverty”: in Valdegour, around a hundred young isolated migrants live in an unsanitary squat

Around a hundred people pile onto mattresses to sleep in the freezing cold. Midi Libre – K.H.

In the courtyard of the hammam, young people follow CAN on their phones. Midi Libre – K.H.

Trois couvertures tendues pour isoler un coin douche avec une bouteille d'eau. Midi Libre – K. H.

Petite séance de coiffeur improvisée. Midi Libre – K. H.

“We sleep with three or four blankets.” Midi Libre – K.H.

A basic kitchen area. One gas plate for everyone. “And when there is no more gas, we heat the water over a wood fire.” Midi Libre – K.H.

Au chauffe l'eau sur le feu autour duquel on se réchauffe. Midi Libre – K. H.

Batterie de cuisine sommaire ! Midi Libre – K. H.

Partie de foot improvisée dans la cour. Midi Libre – K. H.

Ils viennent de Guinée, Côte d'Ivoire ou Cameroun et attendent d'être pris en charge par les services du Département. Certains depuis des mois dans des conditions insalubres rendues encore plus difficiles avec le froid glacial de ces derniers jours.

The joyful football game in the courtyard and the echoes of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) ringing through the phones do not make us forget for long that here, in this old disused hammam, a stone's throw from the mosque in the Valdegour district, around a hundred young migrants – up to two hundred this summer – live in deplorable conditions.

No water or electricity

"They say the squat has existed for two years, says Moussa who has been there for four months, arriving from Guinea via Italy, to escape poverty. " But here too, it’s misery,” he laments, showing us around the huge room open to all winds where dozens of people are crowded together. of mattresses. "It's so cold, we sleep with three or four blankets and many have fallen ill. Honestly, everything is difficult. More complicated than that is death!", adds Dove, who arrived from Cameroon in August. 

No electricity here, only one toilet for everyone, a rudimentary kitchen area, "when there is no more gas, we heat the room' #39;water on the wood fire to cook rice, a single water tap which does not always work and three blankets stretched with ropes to insulate an outdoor shower area, it" #39;that is, a stool and bottles of water for washing. 

The young people prepare the meal in precarious conditions, "rice and chicken most often" Midi Libre – K.H.

Associative restaurants and Restos du coeur

To eat, the young people go to the Su Casa community restaurant in the city center. "We receive 40 to 80 at each service", specifies Morad Berrada, the manager. And, for a few days, the Restos du coeur de Valdegour have opened a new distribution slot on Saturday mornings. "We sized it for 100 people and we distribute 7 meals per person", explains Alain Bourdereau, the president of the association. Neighbors bring clothes, wood, "they are kind, they help us as best they can”, say the young migrants.

"For me, these young people are the heroes of modern times, smiles Marie Claude Tordo, a volunteer doctor with the Red Cross, who also gives French lessons to migrants. "They crossed the desert, Libya, the Mediterranean. And once they arrive in France, they stumble over the papers. They have incredible courage, and a thirst to learn, to have a job."

A disused hammam has been occupied for two years. Midi Libre – K.H.

Months of waiting

Because the procedure for being taken into care when you are a minor is long, especially as the number of young migrants increases. "Currently, 80 young people present themselves every morning in front of the Child Welfare offices, some for three weeks in a row. But only four young people are welcomed per day, recalls the Nîmes Coordination of Young Foreign Exiles which brings together 13 associations dealing with minors. 

The young people warm themselves around the fire. Midi Libre – K.H.

For those whose minority is contested and who appeal to the children's judge, the waiting time is two to six months, sometimes more. "And during this time, they are on the street while the departments have an obligation to shelter", deplores Malik Berkani, the director of the Red Cross. Most of the minors in the squat are in this “legal limbo”, not taken care of by the Department nor by 115 which does not house the minors. "70 to 80 appeals are filed each year, nearly 90% are won", specifies Marie-Claude Tordo.

"Vulnerable young people"

"We are still on standby, it's a vulnerable population. They are in great precariousness. Young people are hypothermic, many have fallen ill but there is neither violence nor addiction, says Malik Berkani.

Mattresses placed in every corner. Midi Libre – K.H.

While waiting for better days, these young people cling to their dreams – plumber, painter, school, web creator –   with the energy of their youth. And volunteer at Su Casa or at the Ressourcerie. The desire to live here is anchored in my body with the maturity of a man and the heart of a child still. "I miss my mother a lot", smiles sadly Sekou.

Contacted by Midi Libre, the Department did not respond to our requests.

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