France to shut down Calais refugee camp, thousands to be relocated

World Today

French President Hollande has promised to shut down an informal refugee camp that’s existed in Calais for more than 15 years. NGO’s are concerned France is unable to relocate those who lived there.

French President Francois Hollande has promised to shut down the Calais refugee camp by the end of the year. The act would remove almost 10,000 migrants currently living there.

As CCTV’s Elena Casas reports, these refugees may not have a home after the camp closes.

The government said all 10,000 current residents will be moved to reception centers and their asylum claims will be processed within three to four months. But NGOs aren’t convinced there will be housing for everyone.

Politicians on the right have fueled opposition to Hollande’s move. Former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who’s running to return to the top job next year, was in Calais himself last week. Local residents said that as long as migrants keep trying to smuggle themselves into the U.K., camps like these will grow again.