The French Interior Minister has rejected accusations that his government is not doing enough to improve conditions in the enormous migrant camp at
ADVERTISEMENTThe French Interior Minister has rejected accusations that his government is not doing enough to improve conditions in the enormous migrant camp at Calais.
A group of French figures, including former footballer Eric Cantona and award-winning economist Thomas Piketty has called on the government to improve conditions in the sprawling migrant camp near Calais.
A la une ce mercredi, l'appel des 800 pour sortir la jungle de Calais de l'indignité
https://t.co/tYyfNwsPI9pic.twitter.com/w1jhnq0K5c— Libération (@libe) October 20, 2015
Meeting police and politicians in Calais today, Bernard Cazeneuve said he shared the group’s concerns but rejected accusations that the government is not doing enough.
A #Calais avec les policiers mobilisés pour sécuriser le port pic.twitter.com/DD18XUNacz
— Bernard Cazeneuve (@BCazeneuve) October 21, 2015
The group listed inadequate food, showers, lavatories and a scabies epidemic as its primary concerns. They condemned the conditions as “a disgrace to a rich nation” and called on the government to act.
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BCazeneuve</a> : "aux 225 gendarmes et 440 CRS présents aujourd'hui, s'ajouteront 300 gendarmes et 160 CRS opérationnels dès demain"</p>— Ministère Intérieur (Place_Beauvau) October 21, 2015
6000 refugees and migrants from countries like Iraq, Sudan and Eritrea are living in the open in a makeshift camp with limited access to food, water and adequate shelter.
Cazeneuve said that 13 million euros has been invested in an on-site welcome centre and gave a commitment that housing would be provided for vulnerable women and children.
He announced new measures to house those living at the camp.
Calais : Cazeneuve annonce de nouveaux moyens pour l'hébergement des migrants https://t.co/4fr8xpNquLpic.twitter.com/XKbuLxugGT
— Les Echos (@LesEchos) October 21, 2015
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BCazeneuve</a> a rappelé qu’aucune femme ni aucun enfant ne demeurera privé d’abri à <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Calais?src=hash">#Calais</a></p>— Ministère Intérieur (Place_Beauvau) October 21, 2015
The call from 800 artists and intellectuals was published in the “Libération” newspaper under the headline “How long are we going to remain silent?”
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BCazeneuve</a> a annoncé que des tentes chauffées seront montées cette semaine <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Calais?src=hash">#Calais</a></p>— Ministère Intérieur (Place_Beauvau) October 21, 2015
Cazeneuve also warned of the risk of opening the border with the UK:
“Given the current context, the control and security of the border is the only responsible reaction to this crisis. Sending out the signal that the Franco-British border would not be monitored and that crossing to the UK would be possible or easy would immediately lead to a massive and uncontrollable influx of migrants.”