Authorities in Paris have begun evacuating a migrant camp in the north of the city, the capital’s police prefecture said.
“The operation to evacuate and shelter the residents of the illegal camp in the north of Paris at the entrance to Aubervilliers has been launched”, – the prefecture said on Twitter.
Début de l’opération d’évacuation et de mise à l’abri des occupants des campements irrégulièrement installés dans le nord de Paris à la porte d'Aubervilliers (#Paris19). pic.twitter.com/APi2vMSSTD
— Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) January 28, 2020
Most of the camp hosts refugees from Afghanistan, but there are also those from the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. They number approximately 915 and reside in 769 tents or temporary shelters.
Since the establishment of the illegal settlement, the sanitary situation in the area has deteriorated greatly, with garbage, waste and rats running everywhere in the camp. In addition, some camp residents have tuberculosis and infectious diseases and some are addicted to drugs.