CALAIS HINTERLANDS
CALAIS HINTERLANDS Jacob King
Late February 2016 marked the beginning of the eviction process of the southern part of the Calais refugee camp, also known as the ‘jungle’.
Middle East and North Africa, thousands still rely on Calais, where ‘jungle’ after ‘jungle’ has appeared and been cleared since 2002.
Courts in France had ruled allowing demolition to begin, citing the southern area of the camp needing to be cleared because of its close proximity to the motorway, a draw for many wishing to gain access to the UK via the vehicles destined for it. However, Clare Moseley of charity group Care4Calais predicts that the evictions will spread to the northern part of the camp, with the long-term aim to close the ‘jungle’ completely as quickly as possible. “The French authorities are determined to close the Jungle as fast as they can, whatever the human cost.”
With asylum acceptance in France remaining low, the UK remains the hope for many. Over a third of the camp’s residents have family in the UK and use English as their second language. They believe in the UK’s system of democracy and they believe Britain is where they will be treated fairly. Most believe Britain is where they can work, live in peace and leave their suffering behind them.
For the men, women and children residing in the camp now, their future is uncertain. Europe’s borders are increasingly tightly monitored and the #RefugeesWelcome movement seems to stop at the door of its political leaders. Having been displaced from war-torn nations across the
However, for now the hundreds of refugees displaced in the south are partly moved to the dormitories set up in shipping containers. With very limited space, this post-jungle era is more desperate for some; others have been able to settle in the growingly congested northern part of the camp. For the rest nearby Dunkirk may be the only other option.
This photographic narrative aims to show the aftermath of the destruction of the south side of the camp, and the toll it has taken on the land and the refugees currently still residing and living in the ‘jungle’.
Abdul Ameen, from Afghanistan, resident of the ‘jungle’ for almost 18 months.
Many child refugees are worryingly thought to be travelling alone, without parents or guardians. With many not attending the pop-up schools within the camp, their mental as well as physical well-being is of great concern.
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Photography Š Jacob King 2016. All Rights Reserved.