Here we are, three weeks after the prefect Fabienne Buccio ordered the dismantling of the southern area of the so called “Calais Jungle”. Despite the protests, demolition teams protected by some RSC’s (Republican Security Companies) have embarked on the systematic destruction of the camp. All its southern part was razed and other infrastructures should be demolished shortly. Only few buildings will remain in place: the school, the theatre and the places of worship. In a few days, the dramatic situation that refugees were already facing has got even worse, when they lost the little they had to survive: a shelter to protect themselves from cold, precarious accomodation to sleep. Nonetheless, migrants keep faith and are working in cooperation with many activists and volunteers by moving their shacks to the northern area of the camp, which hasn’t been demolished yet and is considered safe for families with children. Refugees that decided to apply for asylum in France were guaranteed to be rehoused in a camp within containers surrounded by barbed wire and CCTV cameras. In order to access this camp, it is necessary that refugees own a secret code and have their fingerprints recorded. However, many refugees connect this kind of camp to a prison and refuse to go there. They prefer staying in the “Calais Jungle”, in spite of the deplorable living conditions.
Federico Sutera Photography
Federico Sutera is an italian freelance photographer based in Venice.
His main work is focused on documentary projects and fine art prints.