The reception centre in Iisalmi, which is run by the Savo-Karjala District of the Finnish Red Cross, will be closed down by the end of January. In view of the current situation and the number of applicants, there is no need to extend the fixed-term contract with the centre.
The Finnish Immigration Service is now considering how the present reception centre capacity is to be changed. In the initial stage, the following has been decided:
- In addition to the closure of the Iisalmi Reception Centre, the clients of the emergency accommodation unit in Forssa are relocated to separate private apartments.
- The reception centre in Merikarvia will be closed down.
- The Myllyhovi Emergency Accommodation in Hamina is to be closed down.
The shortage of accommodation for minors has now eased
At the end of 2015, a large number of unaccompanied minors sought asylum in Finland. Minors are placed in their own units, which are smaller than the units intended for adults.
Due to the large number of minors, many units had to accommodate asylum seekers beyond their capacity. New centres are now established in order to normalise the situation.
The following centres are opened during the second week of the year:
- Haapajärvi Group Home (14 beds, run by the SOS Children’s Village Association)
- Vihti Group Home (21 beds, run by All Our Children)
- Evo Supported Housing Unit (30 beds, Neveles Oy)
- Kurkela Group Home (20 beds, Kalliola Settlement).
In addition, a reception centre intended for adults and families will be opened in Rauma this week. The residents of the centre in Merikarvia, which is to be closed down, are transferred to Rauma.
The number of applicants is now relatively low, but the situation is monitored
The number of asylum seekers has been relatively low during the first days of the year. By Monday, 11 January, 375 people had sought asylum in Finland.
The Finnish Immigration Service and the instances running the reception centres are prepared for changes in the number of applicants. If the number of applicants increases, the capacity will be re-assessed and the necessary measures will be taken.
Further information for the media
Pekka Nuutinen, Director of Development, tel. 0295 430 431, e-mail: firstname.lastname.fi
