France Begins Evacuation Of Refugees From Calais Camp

MEP: French authorities have started the evacuation of refugees and migrants from Calais camp following tense clashes with migrants on Saturday (22 October) and Sunday (23 October). Refugees have been given two options: either seek asylum in France or return to their home countries.

Sixty buses arrived to transport 3,000 people to shelters, known as CAO (centres d’accueil et d’orientation), where they will have to claim asylum in France within a set period of time or face deportation – but it is unlikely that all of the camp’s residents will agree to board.

Men and women carrying suitcases and bundles of possessions gathered early on Monday in front of a warehouse which is serving as the main headquarters of the evacuation operation, according to AFP.

More than 1,200 police and officials were deployed in the northern port city to ensure calm in what Paris calls a “humanitarian” operation, during which some 6,000 to 8,000 refugees, more than 1,200 of them children, would be sent out.

“I try to stay in England but I don’t have money to go in England or to stay in France. I think it is so hard for me, it is not easy…” a Sudanese refugee told CNN. “Only God can help me right now.”

The UK has begun accepting some of the unaccompanied minors living in the camp, Voice of America reported.

At around 7:30am the gates to the ‘welcome point’, where refugees are being processed before they board buses, opened and people began being admitted in.

Dozens of French riot police vehicles and other trucks carrying equipment earlier set off in the direction of the operation centre.

Last night, police clashed with the refugees who were protesting against the closure of the camp. At least seven vans loaded with riot police, armed with tear gas, arrived on the scene.

Authorities will begin processing refugees on a first-come, first-serve basis starting on Monday (24 October). A letter given to camp residents on Sunday ordered them to make their way to a reception point to be placed on buses.

“Everybody living in the Calais jungle will have to leave in order to be sheltered in one of the French reception and counselling centres,” the letter read.