New reception centres, service points for Ukrainian refugees

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is preparing to set up new reception centres following the increased need to provide accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine, said Migri in a press release on Wednesday.

In addition to reception centres, the authority is also planning to set up service points for private accommodation, through which those seeking asylum or temporary protection and who have arranged accommodation themselves can access the reception services. The services included healthcare and social services and the reception allowance.

Most Ukrainians fleeing to Finland are staying in private accommodation.

Some of the new reception centres are branches of existing reception centres. The Migri continues to increase the number of accommodation places in existing reception centres.

The Migri is responsible for the coordination, planning and supervision of the reception system. It has reception centres in Helsinki, Lappeenranta (Joutseno) and Oulu.

Other reception centres are maintained by non-governmental organisations, municipalities and companies.

New reception centre will be opened at Salmiranta branch of the Jyväskylä reception centre by 6 April.

Operated by the Finnish Red Cross, the centre will accommodate 150 refugees.

Meanwhile, Salo reception centre with 250 accommodation capacity operated by Medivida Oy will be opened by 5 April.