Yesterday, the French government began the final process of evacuation and demolition of the Calais “Jungle” – an unauthorized migrant and refugee encampment. “This is an important day. The government is making significant efforts,” as dpa quotes Pierre-Henry Brandet, spokesman for the French Interior Ministry. Now the migrants are detained in refugee centers throughout France, where they will start the application process for asylum. Reportedly, most of these centers are located in the south of France, far from the northern port of Calais, where many people had stopped in hopes of crossing the Channel by trucks or tourist tunnels. The camp near Calais had for many years been a key transit point for migrants trying to reach Britain. In 1999, the International Committee of the Red Cross opened its own camp near Calais, Sangatte. But after the UK had protested, calling that camp a factor of migrant attraction, Sangatte was closed in 2002.
