Calais jungle dismantled in 2016

Ten years ago, the Calais jungle, a sprawling migrant camp in northern France, was dismantled. The site, which once housed nearly 10,000 people aiming to reach the UK, was cleared in a large-scale operation on October 24, 2016, with police moving migrants to reception centers across France.

Nature reclaims the site

Today, the area where the jungle once stood is nearly unrecognizable. A thick fog rises on the Calais coast, revealing a heath covered in heather and populated by a few sheep. A World War II bunker, now marked with a tag saying "Safe trip" and "Border Kill," stands as a quiet reminder of the past.

Humanitarians remember the jungle

For those who worked in the jungle, the memories remain vivid. Ferri Matheeuswen, a Dutch humanitarian who has lived in Calais for over 20 years, recalls the chaotic beginnings in April 2015, when migrants arrived with pots and pans, gradually transforming the area into a makeshift village. She describes the jungle as her "second home," filled with the smell of smoke, music, and the warmth of friendships formed with the residents.

Community and conflict

The jungle became a microcosm of life, with restaurants, a church, a mosque, and even a nightclub. Michel Tranchant, a retired man who once brought food to the migrants, recalls the bustling atmosphere. However, the camp also brought conflict, with overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and tensions. Rasta, a local who helped build shelters, remembers the chaos of people rushing to ferries during traffic jams, shouting in Sudanese.

Local reactions and impact

The presence of the jungle deeply affected the people of Calais. Some locals, like Michel, faced ostracism for their support of migrants. Others, like the Devaux couple, who hosted a refugee in their home, experienced hostility from neighbors. Despite the challenges, they believe the jungle brought people together and changed perspectives.

End of an era

The dismantling of the jungle in 2016 was a traumatic event for many. Ferri Matheeuswen recalls giving migrants phone numbers to track their movements, while Michel describes the sadness of watching the camp disappear. Rasta, who refused to witness the end, called it a "laboratory of coexistence," despite the hardships.

Legacy and lessons

While most agree the jungle had become unmanageable, opinions differ on whether the dismantling was the right solution. The mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart, says it was necessary, while others believe alternative solutions could have been explored. Ten years later, the memory of the jungle still lingers, shaping the lives of those who lived through it.