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France to Dismantle Part of Migrant Camp Near Calais France to Dismantle Part of Migrant Camp Near Calais
(about 1 hour later)
PARIS — The French authorities announced plans on Friday to dismantle part of a migrant camp near the northern city of Calais within a week and to evacuate nearly 1,000 people living there. PARIS — The French authorities announced plans on Friday to dismantle part of a migrant camp near the northern city of Calais within a week and evacuate nearly 1,000 people living there.
Thousands of people live the sprawling camp, which is known as the “jungle.” Fleeing war, poverty or repression in Syria, Sudan and other countries, many of the migrants are trying to cross the English Channel into Britain, where they will have family ties, a better understanding of the language and easier access to the job market. Thousands of people live in the sprawling camp, which is known as the “jungle.” Fleeing war, poverty or repression in Syria, Sudan and other countries, many of the migrants are trying to cross the English Channel into Britain, where they will have family ties, a better understanding of the language and easier access to the job market.
Fabienne Buccio, the prefect for the Pas-de-Calais administrative department, said at a news conference in Calais that the authorities would inform migrants in the 120-acre southern half of the camp that they had a week to leave the area.Fabienne Buccio, the prefect for the Pas-de-Calais administrative department, said at a news conference in Calais that the authorities would inform migrants in the 120-acre southern half of the camp that they had a week to leave the area.
A smaller strip of land was cleared last week as the authorities attempted to re-establish order around the perimeter of the camp, leading to the destruction of a makeshift church and mosque.A smaller strip of land was cleared last week as the authorities attempted to re-establish order around the perimeter of the camp, leading to the destruction of a makeshift church and mosque.
The French authorities estimate that there are 800 to 1,000 migrants in the camp’s southern half, and nearly 3,800 overall — down from 6,000 in December. But humanitarian groups helping migrants in the camp say that the total number is closer to 4,500. The French authorities estimate that there are 800 to 1,000 migrants in the camp’s southern half, and nearly 3,800 over all — down from 6,000 in December. But humanitarian groups helping migrants in the camp say that the total is closer to 4,500.
Ms. Buccio said the camp was bad for the migrants and for the image of Calais. “I think that it is time to tell the migrants in Calais, who are still living in conditions that are not dignified and that are not desirable: ‘We really have a solution for you, there are no more reasons for you to stay in these conditions,’ ” she said.Ms. Buccio said the camp was bad for the migrants and for the image of Calais. “I think that it is time to tell the migrants in Calais, who are still living in conditions that are not dignified and that are not desirable: ‘We really have a solution for you, there are no more reasons for you to stay in these conditions,’ ” she said.
Ms. Buccio said that the migrants who were to be forced out of the area could either be set up in a state-run shelter made of shipping containers refitted with beds and heating, with room for 1,500, or accept a move to other immigration centers around France.Ms. Buccio said that the migrants who were to be forced out of the area could either be set up in a state-run shelter made of shipping containers refitted with beds and heating, with room for 1,500, or accept a move to other immigration centers around France.
Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, said on Twitter that she was “satisfied” with the announcement, but humanitarian groups working in the camp said they worried that the state-run shelter was too small and that the migrants were being displaced in the middle of winter. Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, said on Twitter that she was satisfied”with the announcement, but humanitarian groups working in the camp said they worried that the state-run shelter was too small and that the migrants were being displaced in the middle of winter.
France has increased security around the port of Calais and around the Channel Tunnel to Britain, making it difficult for migrants to cross to Britain, and the French authorities are encouraging them to move to state-run facilities and officially register for asylum in France.France has increased security around the port of Calais and around the Channel Tunnel to Britain, making it difficult for migrants to cross to Britain, and the French authorities are encouraging them to move to state-run facilities and officially register for asylum in France.
But many migrants are reluctant to do so, fearing that it will hurt their chances of reaching Britain, and the flow of people has not declined.But many migrants are reluctant to do so, fearing that it will hurt their chances of reaching Britain, and the flow of people has not declined.
In Calais, where residents have increasingly expressed frustrations with the proximity of the camp, there have been frequent demonstrations recently, both in favor of it and against. There have also been clashes among migrants, and the French authorities have opened investigations into groups that have attacked migrants in Calais and elsewhere in northern France.In Calais, where residents have increasingly expressed frustrations with the proximity of the camp, there have been frequent demonstrations recently, both in favor of it and against. There have also been clashes among migrants, and the French authorities have opened investigations into groups that have attacked migrants in Calais and elsewhere in northern France.