France’s ‘Jungle’ camp is burning – and many teenage migrants have nowhere to go

October 27, 2016

By The World staff

Fires broke out in many parts of the camp as the authorities attempted to clear it of residents.
Philippe Wojazer

A large number of unaccompanied minors are still sleeping in the open around the "Jungle" migrant camp near the French port of Calais, in spite of widespread fires and police efforts to clear the area.

French authorities this week moved in to clear the camp of all residents, promising to rehouse migrants elsewhere in France. In spite of this, charities have reported that many of the camp’s youngest residents have been left without shelter.

According to Dorothy Sang of Save The Children, the situation is particularly serious for these minors.

“Children literally had no where to turn,” she says. “We had around 60 minors as young as 13 who had no where to sleep. I can’t stress enough how dangerous the camp has been in the last few days for children."

Migrants claiming to be minors use blankets to protect themselves from the cold as they prepare to spend the night on the street after the dismantlement of the — Migrants claiming to be minors use blankets to protect themselves from the cold as they prepare to spend the night on the street outside the camp. Philippe Wojazer

The camp has existed for years as an informal settlement for migrants hoping to illegally cross the border to Britain. When French riot police moved in, fires broke out in many parts of the camp, and are still reported to be burning. Bulldozers have also moved into demolish parts of the camp that have been emptied.

The French authorities have insisted that the evacuation is going to plan, and any people remaining would be humanely treated. One official told AFP that 10 buses were on standby to take those left to shelter.

"It's our final offer," said Didier Leschi, head of the French immigration office.

In addition to the minors still sleeping in the open, some 1,500 children are being housed temporarily in an on-site park of specially fitted shipping containers.

A migrant claiming to be a minor is wrapped in a blanket against the cold as he prepares to spend the night on the street after the dismantlement of the "Jungle" camp in Calais, France, October 27, 2016.Philippe Wojazer/Reuters

Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.

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