Calais: Ten Years After the Jungle, Migrants Still Risk Channel Crossing
In 2016, the Great Jungle camp outside Calais was dismantled in seven days
In Brief
- •In 2016, the Great Jungle camp outside Calais was dismantled in seven days
- •Today dozens of smaller migrant camps appear along the coast, each cleared on average every 48 hours
- •Migrants continue to use small boats to attempt crossing the English Channel to reach the United Kingdom
Why It Matters
The persistence of migrant camps and the ongoing Channel crossings highlight the enduring challenges of European migration policy and border security. The situation underscores the humanitarian risks faced by migrants and the strain on local authorities in Calais, while also reflecting broader debates over asylum, border control, and international cooperation.
Key Details
- Year of Great Jungle
- 2016
- Dismantlement duration
- 7 days
- Average camp clearance interval
- 48 hours
- Current number of smaller camps
- dozens
- Primary crossing method
- small boats
Context & Background
The Great Jungle was a large, informal migrant camp that existed outside Calais from 2016 until its dismantlement in 2017. It was the largest of its kind in Europe and drew international attention to the migrant crisis along the French coast.
Original Reporting & Sources
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