What is Chaubertin?
Chaubertin is a small group of volunteers that provides emergency aid to homeless refugees in Paris. We distribute clothes, hygiene products and other necessities on the ground to support refugees in their struggle for survival on the streets. Currently, more than 2,000 homeless refugees live in degrading conditions in the northern outskirts of the city.
The name "Chaubertin" draws from the areas between Porte de la Chapelle, Porte d'Aubervilliers and Patin, where most of the encampments are situated.
The name "Chaubertin" draws from the areas between Porte de la Chapelle, Porte d'Aubervilliers and Patin, where most of the encampments are situated.
Why do refugees live on the streets of Paris?
While some refugees have been legally approved as asylum seekers,
they either can't obtain a place in a social
housing center or don't receive enough financial aid to be
able to afford housing. Others are still waiting for their
asylum decision that can take several months. Even though
refugees are entitled to housing and financial aid during
the procedure, the French administration makes it very
difficult for refugees to claim their rights. Unfortunately,
a large number of refugees have become victims of the
so-called
Dublin Regulation,
which threatens them with deportation to the country, in
which they have registered their fingerprints. Those
countries mostly don't offer future perspectives for
refugees or even deport them back to their country of
origin, which is the reason why they leave their
fingerprint-registered countries and seek asylum in France.
Under the Dublin status and depending on their situation,
refugees are condemned to wait for 6 to 18 months to be able
to apply for asylum in France – without housing, financial
assistance or medical aid.