ONE YEAR IN THE JUNGLE (France)

For the majority of migrants, El Dorado lies in England, a mirage from which they cannot escape. But it's a shantytown that awaits them in Calais: the "New Jungle" as it's known here. This term, which may seem pejorative, comes from the Persian "jangal" meaning "forest", and was used by the first Afghans and Iranians to settle in various areas on the outskirts of Calais in the 2000s. This "New Jungle" became an obligatory stopover where people settled. Over 9,000 people are crammed together in deplorable living conditions. The shantytown was eventually dismantled in two stages. Migrants will be sent to reception centers all over France, or sent home with an OQTF.

A refugee walks past a wire mesh anti-intrusion barrier lining the port area of the ferry linking Calais to England. October 30, 2015.

two policemen watch the entrances and exits of the camp from the freeway bridge as a man watches them. December 20, 2015.

dozens of refugees recharge their phones at one of the electricity points provided by volunteers. December 19, 2015.

A man walks past the caravan of a Belgian association that provides meals to camp residents. November 02, 2015

Using their mobile phones, refugees immortalize the Christmas concert given by the Jubileo vocal ensemble at the Jules Ferry center.

A young woman meditates on the cross affixed to the door of the Erythrenne Church compound. It's Sunday morning service and not everyone can get into the church. December 20, 2015

A migrant consults his phone under a bridge on the outskirts of the Calais "Jungle", while the forces of law and order guard the entrance.

Demonstration in support of exiles, bringing together nearly 2,000 people in the streets of Calais. January 23, 2016

A refugee on a bicycle passes through a mud-covered street, in front of one of the many small shops present on the "jungle" camp in Calais. December 20, 2015

After successfully entering the port, dozens of refugees stormed the Spirit of Britain ferry from Dover. After a few hours, the migrants left on their own. The last of them are evacuated by the police, who make around twenty arrests. January 23, 2016

Overview of the container park installed as a temporary solution for housing refugees. The CAP (temporary reception center) comprises 125 blocks, each with 12 beds, for a total capacity of 1,500 people.

Volunteers share a beer with two refugees in one of the shantytown's disco bars. February 22, 2016

Relax in one of the many restaurants in the "New Jungle". These are interludes in the life of the camp. We come here to recharge our cell phones while drinking tea or eating a meal. November 02, 2015.

Several refugees watch from a distance as the judge in charge of ruling on the evacuation of the southern zone of the Jungle.February 23, 2016.

A refugee tries to sell a pair of shoes at the entrance to the camp. Every evening, a small spontaneous market takes place, during which everyone sells the things they no longer need. November 01, 2015.

Shopkeepers, business leaders and elected representatives from Calais demonstrate in front of the Ministry of Finance in Bercy to denounce the economic and social difficulties and migratory pressure of recent years. 07 March 2016.

Installation of anti-intrusion barriers on the approaches to the Eurostar tunnel. October 29, 2015.

Two groups of refugees meet on the approaches to the first accesses to the Channel Tunnel. November 01, 2015.

Several people line up for food rations distributed by volunteers. October 20, 2015.

A young Muslim prays under one of the tents used as a mosque in the "new jungle" camp. CRS trucks can be found at every entrance, and patrols make rounds of the camp.

Refugees bring groceries back to the "New Jungle" using a shopping cart. November 02, 2015.

The "new jungle", the Calais refugee camp. It's made up of tents and barracks built from recycled wood. For the most part, the various "neighborhoods" have been organized according to nationality, with their own services: catering, small vendors. October 30, 2015.

Departure of a group of refugees from the "new jungle" camp. As night falls, dozens of groups attempt to reach the Eurostar tunnel approaches. 31October 2015.

Demonstration by the "Calaisiens en colère" collective in the streets of Calais. September 31, 2015

Second day of evacuation of the southern part of the Calais "Jungle". The forces of law and order are driving the refugees out of the southern zone where dismantling has begun. Some stay until the last moment, while others climb onto their barracks in the hope of slowing down the destruction of their homes. March 01, 2016.

Groups of refugees (here Sudanese), meet every evening near the first accesses to the Channel Tunnel to attempt the crossing to England.
November 01, 2015.

A refugee gets a shave at one of the camp's barbers. A haircut sells for 5 euros. November 01, 2015.

Two refugees wash their hands and feet at one of the camp's water points.
November 01, 2015.

An Iranian refugee seeks access to the Eurostar platform. He is an artist and wants to reach London to make a living from his painting. In Iran, the police burned down his studio. November 02, 2015.

Refugees washing up at one of the camp's water points near the Jules Ferry community center. November 02, 2015.

A minor patients in front of the CAMIE and MDM (Médecin du monde) center. October 26, 2016.

Several migrants attempt to gain access to the sorting center set up by the Prefecture as part of the dismantling of the "Jungle" shantytown. The forces of order made the refugees sit down following crowd movements.
October 24, 2016.

refugee buying groceries in one of the camp's many stalls. The "new jungle" is a veritable village, with more or less the main alleys made up of shops and restaurants.
November 02, 2015.

Abdul, from Sudan, continues to come and study French at the art school that burned down a few days ago. September 16, 2016.

A dozen men are looking for a signal on the highest point of the "Jungle". The telephone is the only link left with the family back home. October 19, 2016.

A man gets shaved in front of a makeshift dwelling. October 18, 2016

A shopkeeper in the camp warns one of his colleagues of the arrival of the police so that he can close his store. The shops must be closed since an order was passed a few days ago. October 18, 2016.

Day one of the final dismantling of the "Jungle", Europe's largest shantytown. The forces of law and order guard the area while clean-up crews timidly begin their work.
October 24, 2016.

Members of the Ethiopian Oromo ethnic group in front of the Oromia school in the Calais Jungle a few days before the shantytown was dismantled. October 20, 2016. Calais. France.

Firefighters and law enforcement respectively trying to contain a barracks fire and keep people out. October 27, 2016.

The rest of the stores in the shopping district went up in smoke overnight. October 25, 2016.

A man screams, frightened by the sight of the Jungle going up in smoke. Day three of the shantytown's dismantling. October 26, 2016. Calais. France.

Members of the Eritrean church take icons out of the church to have them brought back to Paris before the building is destroyed. October 28, 2016.

Evacuation and relocation of the first volunteer migrants. Here, they join a bus that will take them to one of the reception centers in France. October 30, 2015.

View of the burning "Jungle" as refugees leave in the morning. During the night, the "shopping district" caught fire. A series of fires followed throughout the day and in the days that followed, leaving the shantytown in ashes. October 26, 2016. Calais. France.