In the heart of Paris, the Red Cross offers relief to homeless individuals experiencing heat exhaustion, with their words expressing gratitude for the provided water.
Paris Heatwave Worsens Homeless Crisis Amid Volunteer Shortage
A significant summer shortage of volunteers for homeless aid in Paris has exacerbated the critical situation for homeless people, particularly migrants and families with children, during the 2025 heatwave.
According to Météo France, the high temperatures are expected to continue until the end of the week, presenting a further challenge for those forced to sleep on the streets. Currently, around 200 to 350 homeless migrants, including many children, have been camped out near Paris City Hall since early August, protesting the lack of emergency housing options.
The encampment has worsened with the return of hot weather, leading to a rapid deterioration in health conditions due to the summer heat and inadequate shelter. Despite some police evacuations and offers of accommodation outside Paris, most prefer to stay in the city, leaving many without lasting solutions.
Antoine, the team leader, has been on the frontlines of this crisis. He has noticed a decrease in food distributions during the summer due to the volunteer shortage. However, he has been making the most of the resources available, using a van stocked with water, coffee, tea, chocolate, soup, emergency food, and safety and hygiene products.
The Red Cross in the 9th arrondissement is also affected by the shortage of volunteers, with only one patrol organized this week of August 11, instead of the usual three. This has left many homeless individuals without the essential aid they need to survive the heatwave.
Utopia 56, another organization providing aid, has warned that volunteer numbers drop by two-thirds during the summer months, exacerbating difficulties for vulnerable homeless populations. The closure of shelters like one in Bagnolet and a slowdown in public services, including school and gymnasium closures, have further reduced available support.
Météo France predicts a slight decrease from the middle of the following week, offering a glimmer of hope for those affected by the crisis. However, the ongoing volunteer shortage and lack of emergency shelter remain pressing concerns for homeless aid organizations in Paris.
[1] Le Monde, "200 à 350 migrants dormissent autour de l'hôtel de ville de Paris", 12 August 2025. [2] Utopia 56, "Alerte rouge : la crise des sans-abris à Paris", 11 August 2025. [3] France Info, "Le camp des sans-abris de Paris s'aggrave avec la chaleur", 13 August 2025. [4] France 24, "Paris heatwave worsens homeless crisis amid volunteer shortage", 14 August 2025.
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