Refugees left in cold as Jungle is burnt
French authorities hail demolition of the controversial camp at Calais, but scores, including children remain at the site
CALAIS // Dozens of refugees stranded in the remains of the Jungle refugee camp, some of them children, sought a way out yesterday as diggers began tearing down the last shelters in the burnt-out camp in northern France.
A day after the official operation to evict the refugees came to a dramatic and fiery end, about 100 people were waiting to know their fate.
The interior ministry said about 5,600 people had been taken into shelters around France or accepted into Britain – out of the 6,400 estimated to have been living in the camp.
Officials hailed the operation as a success and said the informal part of the camp was now empty. But scores of refugees were left behind, some of whom slept in the biting cold, huddled together in sleeping bags. Others camped out in the hangar where refugees were registered this week for relocation.
Yesterday , dozens gathered outside the registration centre hoping for a ticket out.
“I spent the entire night here,” a young Afghan said. “I am in the queue for minors to go to England. I have family there.”
Regional security chief Fabienne Buccio said those left in the camp had come from “Germany, Paris and elsewhere”, hoping to take advantage of the French offer to shelter Jungle residents so they can seek asylum. He said registrations for transfer to other parts of France were closed.
Denouncing the situation, Save the Children said “the situation for children in Calais after the demolition is the worst it’s ever been” and that some children “had nowhere to go”.
Didier Leschi, the head of the French immigration office, said 10 buses were on standby to take those left to shelter. “It’s our final offer,” he said.
About 1,500 children were being housed temporarily in an on-site park of shipping containers.
The France Terre d’Asile charity, which is responsible for the care of unaccompanied minors in the camp, said 40 children were to be transferred to Britain yesterday. Another 40 were sent to a children’s shelter in eastern France with more to be bussed to the south and west yesterday.
French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve has said all minors “with proven family links in Britain” would eventually be transferred there. He said the UK was committed to reviewing all other cases where it was “in the child’s interest” to settle across the Channel.
Most of those hoping to reach Britain had fled conflict, poverty or persecution in countries such as Eritrea, Sudan and Afghanistan. The French authorities said those who agreed to be moved could seek asylum in France.
Four residents of the camp were arrested on suspicion of arson over fires that began early Wednesday.
Many locals fear more settlements will simply spring up in the area once the Jungle is gone.
The mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart, said claims of the Jungle’s demise were “premature” and demanded “guarantees” that it would not spring up once the police had left.
A number of former residents are believed to have slipped away in the past week.