Hundreds of migrants given deadline to leave France’s ‘The Jungle’ camp

Refugee and Migrant Crisis

A migrant walks on a embankment of earth surrounding the “jungle” migrants and refugee camp on February 19, 2016 in Calais, northern France. / AFP / PHILIPPE HUGUEN

Authorities plan to remove up to 1,000 people from “The Jungle” camp in Calais, France. The expulsion followed plans by Eurotunnel to add more security measures to prevent refugees from crossing into Britain.

CCTV’s Kate Parkinson reports from Paris with the latest.

Follow Kate Parkinson on Twitter @katecctvnews

French authorities gave hundreds of migrants living in the Calais camp, known by its residents as ‘The Jungle,’ four days to remove their makeshift home and possessions.

Residents of the southern part of the camp must clear out by 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday so the camp can be razed. The expulsion order said police will remove those who refuse to clear out.

Authorities estimate between 800 and 1,000 people live in that part of the camp, but humanitarian groups estimate that figure to be closer 2,000 people, including many women and children.

Authorities said the refugees and migrants can move into nearby heated containers or into centers around France.

The hope is that by moving people into more permanent accommodation, or ideally away from Calais, they will reconsider their dreams of reaching Britain on the other side of the English Channel.

But aid groups working in the camp said the proposed alternatives were not adequate and were very far from answering the needs of the problems encountered.