French officials have deployed bulldozers protected by riot police to demolish parts of the migrant camp in Calais. The refugees, aided by volunteers, had already abandoned sections of the so-called 'jungle.'
Image: Reuters/P. Rossignol
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French authorities aim to create a 100-meter buffer zone between the Calais camp and the nearby motorway, and thus make it harder for the migrants to sneak onto trucks headed to England.
The clearing effort started on Monday, after days of efforts to remove the makeshift shelters from the buffer zone. Two of the bulldozers were reportedly set on fire on Friday night.
According to varying estimates, between 500 and 1,500 refugees had been living in the area set for clearing. Some of them moved to different sections of the Calais "jungle" while others took shelter in the newly built camp of heated containers.
'They won't let us leave'
Many of the migrants, however, refused to move to the new facilities. The French officials demanded migrant palm prints to be recorded before entry, and the refugees feared that the security measures would prevent them from leaving France.
"They think we are stupid and we will give them fingerprints to stay in the new camp," Syrian refugee Mohammed Shakh told Deutsche Welle ahead of the clearing.
"It is like a jail there. They won't let us leave after we enter and I never want to live in this country," he added.
The camp holds around 4,000 people in total. Most of the refugees hope to travel to Dover, by crossing the Eurotunnel connecting France and the Great Britain.
"Plan A is truck to England. Plan B is train to England. Plan C is boat to England," according to Shakh.
The clearing effort would proceed "in the migrant-free areas," and is expected to last at least two weeks, French authorities say.
Facing partial eviction, migrants scramble in Calais 'Jungle'
French officials called for a buffer zone to be cleared between a road leading to the Eurotunnel and the 'Jungle' refugee camp, causing residents to scramble to save their dwellings. Diego Cupolo reports from Calais.
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
The relocation effort
Independent volunteers have been helping Calais residents move their homes after French authorities called for a 100-meter buffer zone to be cleared around a highway adjacent to the camp. "We hope to let them keep their dignity and whatever self respect they still have after being stuck in this dump," said a volunteer who wanted to remain anonymous.
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
24-hour police presence
Pictured above, the highway leads to the Eurotunnel, where asylum-seekers try to jump on trucks to enter England. There's heavy police presence in the area and many who attempt the journey are caught, but remain undeterred. Mohammed Shakh, a 21-year-old Syrian said, "Plan A is truck to England. Plan B is train to England. Plan C is boat to England."
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
By any means necessary
After passing the initial Thursday deadline, the exact date the buffer zone will be cleared remains unknown. Volunteers have been rushing to move makeshift homes by any means necessary, and some believe their efforts have so far warded off bulldozers. By Friday, nearly 100 existing shelters were relocated in the camp and 40 new homes were constructed away from the highway.
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
Clearing more than brush
Members of Care4Calais have been clearing areas of thorny shrubs, garbage and often times, human waste, in effort to make space for new homes. "I received so much hospitality when I lived on Afghanistan's doorstep and I want to show them that same level of respect and hospitality now that they've come to my doorstep," said Care4Calais volunteer Ruth Boggiuth.
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
Holding out, peacefully
Meanwhile, some refugees living in the demolition area continue living in their shelters. Approximately, 1,500 of 4,500 camp inhabitants will be affected by the new buffer zone. "I'm not moving my house," said Saifullah Barati, an Afghan who's passed four months in Calais. "If the police want to move it, they can do it. I'm not going to fight them."
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
Container camp
The French government is currently building a camp next to Calais, which is expected to house about 2,000 people, but many asylum-seekers said they would not move in because entry requires their palm prints to be recorded by authorities - a measure they fear will limit their residence options in Europe and force them to stay in France.
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
French resistance
"We see how France treats us," said Mohammed Shakh, a Syrian refugee, while speaking inside his shelter. "They think we are stupid and we will give them fingerprints to stay in the new camp. It is like a jail there. They won't let us leave after we enter and I never want to live in this country."
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
Tensions rising
The eviction notice along with increased police presence have resulted in more violence inside the camp, according to MSF engineer Maud Le Quintrec. After scabies, the second most common reason for doctor visits in Calais is now due to injuries obtained during fights among refugees and nightly clashes with riot police, Le Quintrec said.
Image: DW/D. Cupolo
'The problem is spreading'
"People understand that the government might begin to slowly reduce the size of Calais so they are moving out and creating new 'jungles' in other places." Le Quintrec said, noting 120 inhabitants from Calais recently settled a new camp in Belgium. "Basically, some people are responding by leaving and the problem is spreading to different areas."
