Saving refugees in the French Alps | DW Documentary

Refugees in Europe have risked their lives trying to cross the Alps on the border of France and Italy in winter.
Philippe Zanetti and other French volunteers help refugees, who are keen to seek asylum in Europe, struggling in the snowy Alps in winter. Even though the law forbids it, the inhabitants of the mountain villages are always on the lookout for people in need of help. European law prohibits civilians from helping refugees, even if they are ill-equipped and at risk of dying. Nevertheless, the refugees always find a way to cross, no matter how many transit routes are closed, no matter how hermetically European governments try to seal off the borders through border controls. Out of sheer desperation, people from Libya or Syria - who have often already risked their lives crossing the Mediterranean and have come through Greece hoping to reach Germany - try crossing the Alps between Italy and France even in winter. In Névache in the Hautes-Alpes Department of France, the 250 villagers decided to help the refugees, even if it means going against the law. Philippe Zanetti is 52 and says: "I might not be responsible for what the governments decide. But I can try to make the best of what is going on here". He feels it is his responsibility to help others, especially if they are fleeing from war-torn countries and chaos. He doesn't see people as 'legal' or 'illegal', he simply sees refugees as human beings. It all started when two young refugees from Mali tried crossing the Col de l'Échelle pass, 1,800 meters above sea level, in the dead of winter. The dream of living in Europe came at a high price. Both of them suffered severe frostbite, one lost his feet, the other his hands. Since then, villagers in the area continuously search for more refugees lost in the snow. "It feels like no matter what we do, there’s no end to it", says Philippe Zanetti. "They keep coming day after day. They’re here. What can we do?"
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