War, famine and political unrest have driven some 3,000 people to the port of Calais in northern France – the makeshift camps, and the wait to sneak aboard a lorry or train to the UK, marks the edge of a treacherous journey that for many has taken months.
People from across a broad range of nations arrive at the camps, with many having crossed the Mediterranean on overcrowded boats, or slipped into Europe through the porous Turkish border.
Newstalk Breakfast reporter Kieran Cuddihy travelled to Calais and visited a migrant camp known as 'Jungle 2'. He spoke with some of those who have fled their homes; hearing the stories of their journeys, what they have left behind, and why they travelled from their homes across Africa and Asia to the western edge of Europe.
Three of the most travelled journeys for migrants arriving in Calais are from three distinct areas - Afghanistan, Syria and Libya(which includes Africans from many nations.)
Below we have three interactive maps that show the journey from each of these places through the experiences of one of those people we met in the Jungle 2 camp. As you go through the maps you can click on each marker, giving you information about that stage in the individual's journey.
Listen below: Kieran Cuddihy's report on the mgirant camps of Calais, for Newstalk Breakfast
The Migrants' Stories
Jamal, 28, Ethiopia
Jamal's Journey - Ethiopia to France
Bashar, 22, Syria to Calais
Bashar travelled from Damascus in Syria to Calais, crossing thousands of miles by road and spending his life's savings to people smugglers.
Riaz, 32, Pakistan to Calais
Riaz's Journey - Pakistan to Calais
Martha, 23, Eritrea
“I want to stay in France. This is unusual. All my friends, they go to England but it is too dangerous for me. I have a son. He cannot jump on a trailer.
“I arrived in Hungary in Europe. They took my fingerprints there so it will be hard for me to stay in France. When I apply for asylum, they will try send me to Hungary. I will hope that in Hungary, they do not want me and I can apply again in France in 6 months.
“I cannot stay in Eritrea. There is nothing there for my son. Even this camp is better for him. It is dangerous here still. I sleep in a tent with a family from Ethiopia. I met them before France, in Hungary. They are trying to go to England.
“I do all of this for my son. It is very hard for me but he can have a good life in France.”
Daniel, 27, Eritrea
“I came through Sudan, Libya, Italy and then France. The worst part was leaving Libya. There was maybe 400 people on a boat. I thought we would drown but the Italian boats came and saved our life.
“I want to get to the UK to finish my school. I was studying medical studies in Eritrea but the books over there are too old and out of date. If we qualify there, we can’t work anywhere else in the world.
“It’s tough here in camp but the church helps. We built it last month. It is for all Christians. Catholics, protestants, orthodox, they all come here. Praying helps us all. There are mosques here too in the camp so everyone can pray.
“Without the church, I think it would be too difficult to stay here.”
Sachel, 22, Kurdistan (Iraq)
“It’s tough here, very dirty and the food isn’t good. I have tried so many times to get on a truck but the controls are tough.
“I left because of ISIL. They are trying to take over our country, our land. It’s very dangerous. You don’t know who is who. Maybe your neighbour is ISIL. So we leave for maybe a better life. It’s too dangerous to stay and live with ISIL.
“I worked for an American company there so when ISIL come, they will want to kill me and anyone who works for Americans.
“I will start a new life and hopefully learn more and more and one day maybe own my own business, who knows?”
“It was very dangerous coming here. 20 people left with me. When we got to Greece, there was six of us. Some died, some got lost. I saw many dead people on the way. They get tired from the walking. If they cannot walk, the smuggler says that we cannot stop so they must stay there and they die. This was in Iran.
“Then in Turkey, there was two big mountains that we had to cross. We walked for 24 hours without stopping. After that, they put us on small strucks. They were open at the back and one person fell off and we didn’t stop. We left them fallen in the desert. Nobody cares.
“I got work permits in Italy. I stayed there for one year but I could not find a job. There are no jobs in Italy. I am young and I am educated so now I am in Calais because I think I can find a better life in the UK.
“I didn’t leave Pakistan by choice. I was studying Biochemistry. I had to leave for political reasons. I was going to be killed. I am an only son and my parents could not deal with me being dead. So I had to leave. Now I am stuck in the Jungle. It’s very hard.”
Zemarco, 32, Nigeria
“I wanted to do something to help me people here. That is why I built the school here. I had the idea that all the people here could share knowledge together. In the school, you have Ethiopian, Sudan, Nigeria, Syria, Afghan all in the school together. It brings peace to the camp.
“On the day we opened, we had room for 20 people but 50 people were here.
“People in Calais are helping us. They are giving us books and paper and pencils. The teachers come from the schools and they get no money. They are all professional.
“Look at the subjects. We have English, French, Math, tomorrow we have a Tai Chi class. This is bringing peace and love to people.
“I can give out about the camp but I don’t like to give out. Instead, I work to make the camp better. I try to do my best for the camp.”
Mahmoud, 21, Sudan
“I was training to be a mechanical engineer in Sudan. I would like to do that here because I love mathematics. I love it since I was a boy.
“I don’t like to try and get on the trucks. It is too dangerous for me. Some people are killing themselves or they break legs and arms.
“The important thing for me is finding a safe place, somewhere I can learn and work, somewhere I can get respect. I would like to be in the UK. I have family in UK. In Sudan, we have history with UK so I think I would have a good life there.
“I don’t know if I will make it. It is in God’s hands.”
