The GSCF in action in Lille -
C. Ruiz / 20 Minutes
The “humanitarian firefighters” of the GSCF have been working with homeless people since 2010.
On the ground, they are seeing an increase in precariousness among young people, in part because of Covid-19, but this phenomenon is not new, according to them.
For ten years, the marauders of the French disaster relief group (GSCF) have distributed their “survival kits” to homeless people.
Tuesday, Emilie, Gentil, Yacine and Alexis, four volunteers from the NGO, firefighters by profession, met at the Lille-Flandres station for a distribution.
20 Minutes
followed them.
It was in front of the “Romy” statue, on the forecourt of the station, that they set the starting point for the marauding.
It is there that they meet Marc * who sleeps in the street.
“We are really targeting people who have nothing or who have had their things stolen,” explains Gentil.
A second man joins Marc, thinking he can get the same bag.
But the 115 pays him a hotel thanks to the Extreme Cold Plan, he will not be entitled to the kit.
For lack of resources, the GSCF is forced to "prioritize".
The man leaves, insulting them.
The volunteers advise Marc to keep his bag close to him to avoid theft, but he doesn't seem to care, and puts it away.
Masks are "clearly not a priority" for the homeless
Less than a hundred yards away, another person seems to need the help of the GSCF.
The process is the same every time.
One of the firefighters approaches the person, asks him how he is, his first name, if he sleeps on the street or if he has a place to rest.
Then, if she has nothing, Emilie presents what is in the bag: a thermos, a sleeping bag, warm clothes, hygiene equipment and the essential masks.
Presentation of - C. Ruiz / 20 Minutes
In the eyes of those approached, we read mistrust, but some end up confiding.
This is the case with Bernard *, in the street since the age of 7 and passed from home to home.
“I like homes more,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
For a quarter of an hour, he tells about violence, women who do not even dare to go to the bathroom, thefts ...
The bag will serve him.
"Thank you, masks are important," he concludes.
Bernard however had his under his chin throughout our discussion.
"It is clearly not a priority for them, they are just trying to survive," says Emilie.
Marauders have seen an increase in precariousness since the coronavirus crisis.
“Especially among young people, notes Gentil.
Minors.
Often these are family ruptures, it is one less mouth to feed.
But it's been ten years since we became aware of this phenomenon.
"
"After the coronavirus, it will be catastrophic"
On the Grand'Place, Jacques is doing the round.
Until some time ago he was selling his paintings right here before the police stopped him.
He finally found accommodation thanks to the help of well-meaning people, whom he talks about with a smile on his face.
“With the traders and the bus drivers, I'm fine.
Even the police now ”.
It indicates who might need the GSCF bag.
“They are found everywhere,” he told us, shrugging his shoulders.
On the Grand Place, Jacques shows us the articles that talk about him and his paintings that he no longer has the right to sell - C. Ruiz / 20 Minutes
Indeed, two hours later, the ten bags were sold in the area of the station alone.
“Some people lost everything overnight.
And you will see after the coronavirus!
It will be catastrophic, all the little boxes will sink, ”Gentil laments.
Yacine and Alexis add: “There are some who have had sacred lives, but that's what is interesting, is to know each other's history.
"
A final tour of the station is made.
Marc finally put the bag closer to him, on his back.
He smiles from afar and thanks with a wave of his hand.
* The first names have been changed.
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