Calais Migrant Camps: Life Harsher a Decade After Jungle Demolition 2026

Calais migrant camps have become harsher than ever in the decade since the demolition of the “Jungle,” the sprawling makeshift settlement that once housed thousands of asylum seekers hoping to reach the UK. The area, located near the French port city, remains a flashpoint for violence, intimidation, and fear, with evictions and police crackdowns making life increasingly precarious for those who remain.

A Decade of Displacement: What Has Changed in Calais?

In the ten years since the Jungle was bulldozed, everything and nothing has changed. The physical camp is gone, but the need for shelter persists. In a woodland clearing near a busy main road, brightly coloured tents are pitched, and a jacket hanging from a tree branch blows in the brisk autumnal breeze. It is only October, but the wind makes the temperature feel several degrees chillier.

“I live in a tent,” says Adam*, an electrical engineering student from Sudan who fled when the war started. “We have been evicted so many times. It is not worth having any possessions because the police take everything. I only have the clothes you can see me wearing now.” His story is echoed by many others who cycle through temporary shelters, only to be moved on again.

Why Calais Migrant Camps Are Harsher Than Ever

Successive UK governments have spent hundreds of millions of pounds on initiatives to curb illegal migration via northern France, including paying the French for police enforcement along the coast. On Wednesday, Rob Jones, director general of operations at the National Crime Agency, told MPs that thanks to UK-France efforts, the business model of people smugglers enabling small boat crossings was “starting to shake.”

Nonetheless, more than 200,000 asylum seekers have made the journey from Calais to the UK in the past decade, according to official figures. The crackdown has not stopped the flow but has made conditions for those waiting in Calais more desperate. Frequent evictions, confiscation of belongings, and a heavy police presence have created an atmosphere of fear and instability.

Key Takeaways

• Evictions are frequent, leaving asylum seekers with few possessions and constant uncertainty.
• Police confiscate belongings, making it difficult for people to maintain basic living standards.
• UK-France efforts have targeted people smugglers, but the flow of migrants continues.
• Living conditions in Calais are dire, with many sleeping in tents exposed to the elements.
• Violence and intimidation are part of daily life for those in the camps.

Who Is Affected by the Calais Crisis?

The people affected are asylum seekers from conflict zones such as Sudan, Afghanistan, and Eritrea, many of whom have fled war and persecution. They arrive in Calais hoping to cross the Channel to the UK, often because they have family ties or speak English. But instead of finding safety, they face a cycle of displacement and harassment.

Local charities provide basic services such as phone charging and food distribution, but resources are stretched thin. The French authorities maintain that they are upholding the law, but critics argue that the treatment of migrants violates their rights. The UK government, meanwhile, continues to fund enforcement measures while pushing for offshore processing and returns.

What to Watch Next: Policy and Human Impact

The situation in Calais is unlikely to improve without a comprehensive approach that addresses both border control and humanitarian needs. The UK’s Nationality and Borders Act and the Rwanda plan have been criticized by human rights groups as ineffective and cruel. Meanwhile, the number of small boat crossings remains high, and the smuggling networks adapt to enforcement efforts.

For those in Calais, the immediate future is uncertain. Winter is approaching, and with it comes colder weather and greater health risks. Charities are calling for emergency shelter and an end to evictions during the winter months. Without such measures, the suffering of asylum seekers in Calais is set to worsen. The background to this story is set out in France: latest articles.

FAQ

What was the “Jungle” in Calais?

The “Jungle” was a makeshift camp in Calais where thousands of asylum seekers lived while attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK. It was demolished in 2016, but migrants have continued to arrive in the area.

Why are migrants in Calais living in tents?

Migrants in Calais live in tents because they have nowhere else to go. The French authorities do not provide sufficient shelter, and frequent evictions prevent them from settling. Many rely on donated tents and charity support.

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How many asylum seekers have crossed from Calais to the UK?

According to official figures, more than 200,000 asylum seekers have made the journey from Calais to the UK in the past decade, often using small boats arranged by people smugglers.

What is the UK doing to address the situation in Calais?

The UK government has funded French police enforcement along the coast and implemented policies such as the Nationality and Borders Act. However, critics argue these measures are ineffective and inhumane, and the number of crossings remains high.