Title: “Anything but Morocco”: Migrants forced to leave makeshift camp in Ceuta

Around 4,000 migrants have been moved from an improvised camp on a beach in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on Morocco’s coast. Police gave the order early on Thursday morning for the group to leave the Playa del Trampolín, near the city’s migrant reception center. Many said they did not know where they were being taken. “We don’t know what will happen to us or where they are taking us,” said Ahmed, one of the last to leave. Some walked away barefoot, leaving behind shelters built from reeds, wood, and plastic. The camp had been set up on July 31, after migrants entered Spain between July 30 and 31. Keriz, a 24-year-old barber from Fez, had been living on the beach for more than 20 days. He said he ate once a day. Like many others, he fears being sent back to Morocco. “I don’t know what will happen, but anything but going back there,” he said. Another migrant, Hassan, crossed his arms and shouted: “Never to Morocco, never.” Authorities first moved migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. According to Spain’s Migration Ministry, the plan is to relocate them to new camps at Loma Margarita and Loma Colmenar. But migrants said they were not informed, causing panic. Some ran as police vans arrived. Others hid in bushes near the beach. By late morning, only two lines of migrants remained, waiting for transport. Among them was Vincent, an orphaned minor who had entertained others by performing as Charlie Chaplin. He still wore the makeup and carried bags with his costumes. Hamza, 32, said he hoped the new camp would be better. “I need to work and eat,” he said, also refusing to return to Morocco. The camp had become a small settlement. Migrants built huts and started informal businesses, including a barbershop and a market selling clothes, food, and tobacco. By the afternoon, hundreds returned to the beach to collect belongings. Police said they would continue moving people to official centers. Humanitarian groups, such as Elín, have criticized conditions at the beach. They reported long waits for small portions of food, including cheese, pastries, fruit, and juice. Keriz confirmed that these rations had to last all day. NGOs also raised concerns about poor hygiene. Spanish Health Minister Mónica García said migrants needed to be moved to properly equipped camps where they could receive medical care. The government’s next step is to open a temporary migrant reception center, known as a CATE, in a warehouse at Tarajal. It is expected to operate by the end of the month. The center will process migrant files, including deportation or asylum requests. Authorities also plan to set up facilities in the same area for unaccompanied minors, as current spaces are full with more than 1,300 young people.