Migri opens new reception centres 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 Friday.

A new reception centre with 200 accommodation facility opened at Kirkkonummi on July 1 operated by Babando Oy.

Two other reception centres-Saarijärvi branch of the Jyväskylä reception centre and Kuusamo reception centre- will be opened by August 1. Operated by the Finnish Red Cross the centres will accommodate 150 people each.

Another reception centre -Laukaa branch of the Äänekoski reception centre with 230 accommodation capacity will be opened by August 16.

In addition to reception centres, the Migri can set up service points for private accommodation, through which those seeking asylum or temporary protection who have arranged accommodation by themselves can access the reception services, such as 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.

Earlier in June, the Migri established reception centres for Ukrainian refugees.