It’s a notion the British government is trying to dispel. They believe the country wholeheartedly welcomes newcomers, and that living standards there are the best in Europe.
“Maybe when we pass to England the fear will go away from us.”Ĭalais is a necessary evil for migrants trying to reach Britain, which for many has become a kind of promised land. “We will feel safe in England,” said Zubair. He refused to provide details, but some other Afghan residents in the camp said they left for similar reasons, and remain fearful of being targeted inside the “jungle.” “My life was in danger in Afghanistan,” he said. He said threatening letters from the Afghan militants drove him to leave his studies and his country. Zubair has been in Calais for a month, and cannot shake his fear of the Taliban. You will be tolerated.’”įear follows migrants fleeing war, famine, human rights abuses or poverty - and pervades the camp. For the first time since the 2002 destruction of a huge migrant camp outside Calais, Konforti said, “the government says ‘Go there. Yet this appears to be the place where France’s government is encouraging migrants to huddle, out of sight for most Calais residents and from the Channel tunnel. One migrant said he last washed his pants in Hungary, weeks ago.
#Calair migrant mobs portable
The rare spigots of water and a line of portable toilets are difficult to access for many living in the kilometer-long stretch. “There is no water, no food, no clothing,” Nazari said. Squalor is the only constant between this new “jungle” and the makeshift encampments bulldozed by authorities. But another reason is that some 30 percent of the camp population is seeking political asylum in France - and these people know they are in for a prolonged wait. Maya Konforti of Auberge des Migrants - Migrants’ Shelter - an NGO that helps supply food, tents and blankets, says the camp’s building binge is due in part to its far-flung location, with no nearby grocery stores. It’s a sign that, while most migrants are desperate to leave Calais, they appear increasingly resigned to the long haul in a city that is groaning under the strain of the migrant load.
A mosque, church and myriad shops, all built by migrants from plastic tarp and plywood, convey a sense of permanence. Unlike the others, this refuge far from Calais’ city center - and more than a two-hour walk to the Channel tunnel - has mushroomed into a veritable village. It’s just for animals.”Īn estimated 2,500 migrants are currently at the wind-swept camp surrounded by sand dunes that sprang up in early April when a state-approved day center for migrants was opened nearby. “We don’t eat like this every day,” said Nazari of the simple meal that was, in fact, a special treat cooked up for visitors.
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