The sits on a former landfill site about four kilometers outside of the center of Calais. It popped up in April after a similar site was demolished last year. The tents and running water provide both home and temporary shelter to some 3,000 migrants and refugees from Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Nigeria among others.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
Hassan, 34 is an imam at one of Le Jungle's 6 mosques. He says he fled Darfur to Libya where he worked as a day laborer until incessant fighting convinced him to take a boat to Italy. He was rescued at sea and taken to Sicially, then he made his way to Marseille, up through Paris to Calais. After several futile attempts to cross into England he decided to live permanently in Le Jungle. "I am an imam," he said. "I will stay here with the mosque."
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
Makeshift housing being constructed out of planks of plywood.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
A woman from Ethiopia prepares for the evening when she will make the attempt to board a passing train bound for England.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
A refugee leaves Le Jungle on his way toward Calais town.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
A group of 16-year-olds from Syria sit under a viaduct. They wait for the night to come when they will try to board a train bound for England.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
A young man from Iran looks out beyond the fencing on the outskirts of Le Jungle.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
A young Eritrean woman takes a stroll near the barbed wire fencing that flanks the settlement.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
A refugee from Afghanistan takes a cold shower from a bucket at Le Jungle's water station.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
A refugee from Sudan runs a cellphone charging station inside the settlement. Doezens of people come each day to charge their devices.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
A Sudanese refugee stands inside his tent. He plans to remain in France and make his home in Le Jungle.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
New arrivals stay at the welcome tent.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
Migrants and refugees from Sudan decorate their makeshift homes with flowers and drawings
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
Refugees and migrants fight over who will recieve a donated bicycle.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
It is a two hour walk from Le Jungle to the trains where refugees and migrants hope to cross to England. A group of refugees from Eritrea walk the streets of Calais towards the railroad tracks.
Gregory Beals for The Daily Beast
