Majority of the refugees staying in the Calais Jungle refused to leave and move to the new government housing provided by the French government. According to the Daily Mail, France already gave the Calais refugees two days before they bring in bulldozers to smash the jungle camp.
It has been reported that the refugees rejected the £20 million worth new housing provide by the government. The camp can accommodate the 1,500 refugees in well-powered and properly ventilated and heated shipping containers that are converted accordingly for them. They opted not to move to the new place because it looks like a prison camp. But then, the French is being firm already and told the refugees that they only have until tonight to vacate their tents.
The metal containers were properly converted to a much better living place. It has power sockets, heated towel rails and toilets. However, majority of the migrants still preferred to stay in their makeshift tents. Reportedly, Calais Jungle community leaders released a statement that says they "respectfully decline" the local government's order to vacate.
As it says, "We, the united people of the Jungle, Calais, respectfully decline the demands of the French government with regards to reducing the size of the jungle. We have decided to remain where we are and will peacefully resist the government's plans to destroy our homes. We plead with the French authorities and the international communities that you understand our situation and respect our fundamental human rights."
The volunteers that work in the Jungle also complained of the time frame given to them by the French government to move all 1,500 refugees to the new container camp. Reportedly, the charity HelpRefugees UK wrote a statement last Monday which says, "We had been given a Wednesday deadline, although this timeframe is now less certain, to move and relocate approximately 2,000 refugees, including over 300 women and 60 kids."
It was also mentioned in the statement that the charity tries its best to move everyone safely in the new place considering the large number of children and women. Aside from that they also pointed out that the container camp can only accommodate 55 people per day. Given that, only 200 people will be able to move in before the set date.
With all that is happening in the Calais Jungle, the HelpRefugees UK said that they will respect the decision of the rest of the community. They will still continue to assist those who want to move into the new camp.
