France shuts down Calais refugee camp, moving thousands to new areas

Global Business

France shuts down Calais refugee camp, moving thousands to new areas

The so-called “Jungle” is no more. After years of being home to refugees and migrants- the makeshift camp has been shut down by the French government.

More than 4,400 people have been removed from the camp to other regions of the country.

CCTV America’s Ahmad Coo reports.

Known as the ‘jungle’, this migrant camp in Calais had housed thousands of asylum seekers. Now, it’s mostly charred remains of what used to be a tent city.

For decades, many migrants sought refuge in the jungle. But the fighting in Syria eventually led many to flee to Calais and eventually led to the camp’s explosive growth.

This year, France decided to finally shut down the camp to contain the sprawl.

But in what French authorities called a ‘tradition’ is many of the “Jungle’s” residents set fire to their old homes.

While some welcomed the closing of the camp, the way it was cleared brought up some painful memories for others.

Almost all of the “Jungle’s” former occupants have been or are in the process of being relocated. Some have been moved to some small towns in France.


Thom Brooks on France shutting down Calais refugee camp

To discuss the future for the remaining refugees after the closure of the Calais refugee camp, CCTV America’s Paul Barber spoke to Thom Brooks, a professor of Law and Government at Durham University in the UK.