Outside a former Royal Air Force base in the English countryside, a medical team from France’s Medecins du Monde operates a mobile clinic, assessing and aiding asylum seekers held at the converted military site. The initiative is part of the UK government’s controversial effort to relocate asylum seekers from hotels to alternative accommodations.

The base, located northeast of London, has become a focal point of criticism, with concerns raised about the suitability of such facilities for vulnerable individuals who have often experienced traumatic events. The base, part of the government’s strategy to reduce costs associated with housing asylum seekers, has drawn attention for its isolated location and challenging conditions.

The medical team, consisting of a doctor, an assistant, and Medecins du Monde’s UK director Simon Tyler, provides limited care from a van equipped with basic medical supplies. Since December, the team has been operating three days a week, addressing various health concerns among the asylum seekers.

One asylum seeker, a visibly weakened Eritrean man in his 20s, described the conditions as “very hard inside” and highlighted the mental health challenges faced by those staying at the base.

According to Tyler, the predominant health issue among the asylum seekers is mental health and psychological concerns, with many exhibiting signs of distress and vulnerability. The isolated nature of the base, located several kilometers from the nearest village, has raised concerns about the well-being of those held there.

Despite being able to leave the site, asylum seekers reportedly feel desperate, lacking alternative places to go. Tyler expressed concern about the heightened risk of suicides within the base, describing it as “clearly inappropriate” considering the vulnerability of the individuals.

The UK government’s approach to asylum seekers has faced criticism, with efforts to shift individuals to alternative sites like Wethersfield barracks raising questions about the impact on their mental health. The base, resembling a detention center according to some, has become a symbol of the government’s attempts to control immigration amid ongoing concerns about border security.

The government’s broader strategy includes reducing the number of arrivals through regular and irregular methods, with a focus on deterring cross-Channel arrivals. While the number of people crossing the Channel to England decreased last year, the issue remains politically sensitive, especially as the government grapples with immigration challenges following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s proposal to permanently transfer a small proportion of asylum seekers to Rwanda has faced legal challenges, stalling the policy. In the meantime, officials have moved individuals awaiting decisions from hotels to bases like Wethersfield, emphasizing cost reduction.

The Medecins du Monde team, witnessing firsthand the concerns and challenges faced by asylum seekers, emphasizes the mental health crisis within such facilities. The isolated conditions, described as feeling like a prison, contribute to the distress of those housed at the base.

As the government grapples with immigration policies and seeks to address backlogs in asylum processing, the humanitarian aspect of the issue remains a focal point. The medical charity’s efforts shed light on the urgent need for a more compassionate and suitable approach to supporting vulnerable individuals seeking refuge in the UK.