French police conducted an operation on Wednesday to relocate dozens of migrants, including families with young children, from the forecourt of Paris City Hall. This action took place as the capital geared up to mark 100 days until the commencement of the Olympic Games.
At dawn, police intervened to remove approximately 50 individuals, predominantly women and children aged between 3 and 10 years old. These individuals were seen bundled up in strollers or covered with blankets and plastic sheets to protect themselves from the rain.
The migrants gathered their belongings and were transported by bus to temporary government housing located in Besançon, situated in eastern France.
There are concerns among aid workers that this evacuation could signify the start of a broader initiative by Paris authorities to clear out migrants and other homeless individuals from the capital ahead of the Olympic Games, without offering sustainable housing solutions.
Organizers of the Olympics have stated their collaboration with aid organizations to address these challenges.
The families affected by the evacuation hail from various French-speaking African nations, including Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.
Aid groups like Utopia 56 have been providing essential supplies such as food, blankets, and diapers, and assisting some individuals in finding temporary accommodation for short durations, typically one or two nights.
