As the holiday season approaches, an Albanian family continues to face the harsh reality of living on the streets in Montpellier, France. The couple, who fled the country with four children, including a sick 20-month-old baby, have yet to find emergency shelter, despite daily efforts for help from French authorities.
Their story has attracted the attention of the French media, which report that for a week, the family has been pitching their tents near the city hall, while the solidarity of citizens and supporting associations continues. On Monday evening, about 60 people participated in a solidarity rally, organized by the associations “Un toit, un avenir” and “Solidarité Partagée”, which have been helping the family for weeks.
Samuel Forest, president of the Solidarité Partagée association, expressed concern about the family's situation.
"The situation is unacceptable. Children are getting sick from the cold. We have seen cases where families have been on the streets for up to four months. This is not normal and the local government is not intervening."
However, according to the Montpellier prefecture, the family is not considered a priority for emergency shelter, as they are in an irregular legal situation and their asylum application has been rejected. The city's Administrative Court also rejected their request for shelter on December 8.
Another support rally is planned for Sunday, December 21, at 2:00 p.m., in front of Montpellier City Hall, in a clear appeal for help and solidarity with the family.
