As Europe faces a huge refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people flooding into the continent to flee war, poverty, and political oppression, its response has been chaotic. Thousands have died making the perilous boat journeys across the Mediterranean as European governments squabble among themselves on how to deal with the situation.

At the end of June, France closed its border with Italy to refugees and migrants, trapping hundreds in the Italian border town of Ventimiglia. Money was low by the time most people reached the town, so they had to seek help in two camps — one run by the Red Cross and the other by European activists — for food and shelter while they waited in vain for the border to reopen.

VICE News travels to the French-Italian border to speak to those who are stuck, as well as organizations and activists struggling to cope with the situation.

Watch "Seeking Refuge in Europe: Breaking Borders (Dispatch 1)"

Watch "Police Resistance at the Gateway: Breaking Borders (Dispatch 2)"

Watch "Marching Through Police Lines: Breaking Borders (Dispatch 3)"

Watch "Stopover in Serbia: Breaking Borders (Dispatch 4)" 

Watch "Migrants and Refugees Test Lesbos' Limits: Breaking Borders (Dispatch 5)"

Watch "Cutting Through Hungary's Razor Wire Fence: Breaking Borders (Dispatch 6)"