Cimade was created in France in October 1939 under the name of Comité inter-mouvements auprès des évacués (Inter-movement Committee for Evacuees) to help evacuees from Alsace and Lorraine fleeing the war. It then helped refugees interned in camps (Rivesaltes, Argelès, Gurs, Agde, etc.) during the Second World War (Spanish republicans, Jews from various European countries, German anti-fascists, etc.) and then took part in the resistance. Since then, it has adapted its work to the challenges of each era.

Currently, it works with asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. The volunteers receive them, listen to them, inform them and advise them on their rights. They help them to put together their application for asylum with OFPRA (French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons), and to lodge appeals if necessary with the National Asylum Court. It tries to facilitate the survival of undocumented migrants.

The Beziers office of LA Cimade also manages a CADA (Centre d'Accueil de Demandeurs d'Asile) with accommodation and has created the Alternatif Hotel which houses migrants found living on the streets. LSR provides food and other support for all the activities of La Cimade Beziers.

In Carcassonne, the CIMADE has an office in the Montsarrat Social Centre in the Viguier district. Volunteers welcome asylum seekers there. They are in contact with many partners (SAMU Social, charities, social workers) and very often with lawyers.

The volunteers also carry out awareness-raising activities for adults and young people in schools. (CFA of Lézignan-Lycée of Limoux)

Finally, for several years now, the CIMADE has been intervening in the field in the Aude region, with the financial and logistical support of LSR, by distributing food, clothing and basic supplies on a monthly basis.

No Name Kitchen is a brilliant organisation delivering food, clothing and legal support to refugees sleeping rough under the autoroute bridges on the Italian/ French border.

They are in contact with them  and we support them in their actions in Vingtimiglia.

VEEM is an organisation set up to welcome newcomers to the region. Members offer language courses and other social and special interest activities. They actively support refugees living in the Minervois. Their office, 22, Ave de Béziers in Olonzac, is open on Tuesdays, from 10.00am to 11.30am and provides a delivery point for food donations for refugees in Carcassonne supported by LSR and Cimade. Website www.veem.fr

“100 for 1 roof of Narbonne” is a brand new association from the collective Accueil MigrantEs du Narbonne.

100 for 1 roof of Narbonne invites everyone to donate at least €15 per quarter. When 100 people accept, we can rent accommodation and allow one or more families isolated people to benefit from a roof over their heads.

Our relationship with 100 pour 1 toit Narbonne is thanks to Maryse Ivern, who is also a volunteer at LSR.

Urgency of dignified welcoming of refugees and migrants.

AMIC works in Clermont-l'Hérault to support migrants and campaign on their behalf.AMIC work in Clermont L’Hérault to support migrants and campaign on their behalf.

This collectif is made up of a group of charities and other groups that work together to help refugees. A lot of their work is around helping MNA (mineurs non-accompagnés / un accompanied kids) under the age of 18. This covers everything from food and accommodation to getting them into schools, teaching them French and sadly also fighting the case of those kids that have received OQTF upon becoming 18.