The loudspeakers in the vast hangar rang out with messages all day long. “We need a volunteer, please,” “Don’t forget: the physiotherapists are here until 5pm”, “Dinner will be served between 18:45pm and 9:30pm,” or “Come join our cinema screening”.
The nearly 1,000 evacuees who were on Monday still taking refuge in the Bordeaux exhibition centre had plenty of activities to keep them busy.
Read moreLive: French wildfires flare up again as authorities evacuate 4,000 more from tourist sites
Many of them had arrived during the night of July 24 and July 25, when some 7,000 people fled the massive wildfires ravaging southwestern France to take shelter in the centre. Since then, most of the foreign tourists and vacationers have left, and numerous locals from Gironde have found refuge with friends and family.
For the others, Bordeaux City Council is working on more long-term solutions, including accommodation with private individuals, in university halls of residence or even in secondary schools.
The city has so far offered 892 housing options to the displaced people, according to a press release.
Scrolling, card games and new friendships
While they waited to find temporary housing or return to their own homes, many of the evacuees read or scrolled frantically on their phones. Some took naps.
Others took advantage of the situation to meet new people. A small group of five people seated at a table began yet another card game. They didn’t even know each other three days ago, but now they call each other “friends”.
“Many new relationships have been forged here. This outpouring of humanity, this mutual support is heart-warming,” said Marilyse with a smile. “There have been a few small issues of course, given everyone’s fatigue and frustration. Yet overall, there’s a really good atmosphere. People get on well together.”
Marilyse wasn’t the only one to highlight the sense of camaraderie in the hangar. The other evacuees were full of praise for the work of the roughly 500 volunteers who have stepped forward to help.
Read more‘I spent the night coughing’: Wildfire smoke leaves Bordeaux residents struggling to breathe
Veterinary services, legal aid and exercise sessions
In hangar 2, reserved for independent and able-bodied people, an alternative community has taken shape in record time. Just like in a village, every need has been catered for. Makeshift beds and large tables sit in the centre, a dining area was set up off to the side while large mats for sports and relaxation made up another area. In another corner, veterinarians tended to people’s pets.
Volunteers had arranged a whole host of activities – ranging from entertainment and healthcare to legal assistance and spiritual services. Even a morning Mass was offered.
Upon exiting hangar 2, a neighbouring hangar was filled with a vast pile of donated goods .
Balloon games
A volunteer named Chris was particularly popular, and has become an instant hit with the children. Wearing a floral shirt and a boater hat, he inflated balloon after balloon, twisting them into the shapes of dogs and swords. “I don’t know how to make any other shapes besides these ones,” he said, laughing.
“I normally work with an association that fosters social ties and helps the elderly,” said Chris. “I also run an online shop for party supplies. So this was the perfect opportunity to put these balloons to good use.”
A few metres away, Théo tidied up a massive stack of board games. There were games for all ages and tastes. “I work as an activity leader during the summer holidays, so I’m here to keep the children occupied,” he said.
“It’s intense. I work at a day camp in the morning and come here in the afternoon. But it’s necessary, and it’s the least we can do under these circumstances.”
“I’m so relieved to see my daughters having fun and to have a little help looking after them,” said Mélissandre, watching Emma and Chloé, aged 4 and 8, play with their balloon.
Mélissandre, a single mother, has had to evacuate four times since the wildfires began. A resident of Arès, she first sought refuge with friends in Andernos, Lanton, and Audenge, all towns that have been deserted due to the risks of smoke from the fires.
“Now we’re here, and my girls are doing well. We aren’t leaving again until we can go back home.”
‘It’s hard to sleep’
Maëlle, who arrived at the centre on Saturday with her four children and her husband, had a similar story. Her three cats had been with her since the previous day, “thanks to a volunteer who allowed me to go with her to fetch them. I was so relieved!” she said, cradling one of her felines in her lap.
“I’ve been offered accommodation several times, but I prefer to stay here. My children are happy, it’s as if they were at a summer camp. As for me, there’s no way I’d ever leave my cats again.”
Just behind her, sitting on her camp bed, Claire hung up her phone and smiled. It would be the last day for her and her mother in the centre. “The insurance just gave us a little money for a hotel for the next two days. All we have to do is find one,” she said, looking relieved.
Both women arrived on Friday evening. “We don’t have a car, so we didn’t know what to do. The police ended up directing us to a bus which took us here. We’ve been waiting since then.”
“It’s impressive, all this organisation,” said Claire. “But we’ll be delighted to sleep in a real bed and take a proper shower. Let’s be honest, between the screaming children, the barking dogs and the lights, it was almost impossible to sleep.”
“We don’t know how long this is going to last. This morning we were told it would take at least another 48 hours. I can’t believe it. Three days here was manageable, but it can’t go on indefinitely.”
This story has been translated from the original in French.
This story originally appeared on France24
