Emergency food support in Hérault and Aude

A key part of LSR’s regular work is around providing emergency food support to those without papers. Working closely with La Cimade in Béziers and Carcasonne, we help feeding at least 200 people every month.  We distribute dry foods around half of which is donated by members and friends of LSR.

A modest sum is included in each parcel to help the refugees buy fresh produce& get access to other food sources such as Croix Rouge/Secours Populaire which require a donation. Also having some cash helps to imbue some dignity to these families and allows them to choose and prioritise what they need.

The list of families helped is constantly evolving but the requirement for donations to meet these needs never diminishes.

Financial support for housing and other needs

LSR helps refugee families to stay in self-found accommodation by providing modest financial support (on average €200) per family per month while they appealed, with the help of La Cimade, against their refusal of refugee status. This is hugely important as the families can stay in safe accommodation, with food to eat and the security for their children to attend school throughout the year. Our friends at La Cimade have been key to the success of this programme.

We help families travel to important meetings in Montpellier, Paris, Carcassonne and meet other emergency needs such as opticians and dentists.

Material support in the Languedoc, Italy and Greece

In the last year LSR have delivered about 700 blankets donated to the SAMU Social in Montpellier and to groups helping homeless refugees in Ventimiglia.

We also collect boxes of donated children's and women's clothing and other materials and sent them to agencies working with refugees in Greece, warm clothes for winter and lighter clothes for summer.

We also refurbish bikes and pass them onto refugees to give them a measure of independence.

Financial support outside the Languedoc

From time to time, when we can afford it, we also send funds to organisations with similar aims to our own to help in other locations. This year we sent fund to both Moldova and Lebanon

End of year festivities for children in the Hérault and Aude

Every year LSR groups (Hérault and Aude) collected and distributed end of year gift packages for children in Béziers and Carcassonne, again working with La Cimade in both cities.  Hundreds of children are able to experience a moment of joy at Christmas thanks to these gifts from LSR members and friends.