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France Demolishes Calais Jungle Camp, UK Pledges More Funds to Control Borders

© REUTERS / Neil HallMigrants shake hands as they stand on a high point near tents and makeshift shelters on the second day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, during the dismantlement of the camp called the "Jungle" in Calais, France, October 25, 2016
Migrants shake hands as they stand on a high point near tents and makeshift shelters on the second day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, during the dismantlement of the camp called the Jungle in Calais, France, October 25, 2016 - Sputnik International
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The demolition is underway of the so-called Jungle camp in Calais, northern France, as the last tents and shacks are removed by the authorities.

Sheds and temporary buildings made out of wood have been torn down by workers with sledgehammers and diggers sent to dismantle one of Europe's largest makeshift refugee camps

Migrants pass by a road sign as they leave the northern area of the camp called the Jungle in Calais, France, September 7, 2016 - Sputnik International
Demolition Begins at Calais Refugee Camp in France

Asylum seekers and refugees have been living in squalid conditions there for months waiting desperately for an opportunity to travel to the UK across the English Channel.

Authorities believe that 7,000 people lived in the camp — but aid workers and NGOs on the ground in Calais say the number is more like 10,000.

​Evictions started on Monday, 24 October, with around 2,800 people put onto busses and driven out of town. Some migrants, who still look upon Calais as the final barrier before traveling to Britain, are refusing to leave.

​The French authorities have been accused of keeping aid workers and NGOs in the dark about their plans to evict people living in the camp and shut it down for good. The Calais police commissioner hopes to clear the camp entirely by Friday 28 October. 

Migrants shake hands as they stand on a high point near tents and makeshift shelters on the second day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, during the dismantlement of the camp called the Jungle in Calais, France, October 25, 2016 - Sputnik International
Determined Migrants Will Set Up More Calais Camps Despite 'Jungle' Demolition

Over the Channel in Britain, it appears to be less about demolition and more about the dosh after the UK's Home Secretary pledged US$44 million to better maintain border controls in northern France.

It's not the first time the UK has put borders before people and with the closure of the camp in Calais, many aid agencies are predicted the problem will pop-up elsewhere with more temporary camps appearing in other parts of France.

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