More centres to open as number of Ukrainian refugees rises to 45,267

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 Tuesday.

By 28 November 2022, those fleeing Ukraine due to the Russian military attack had submitted 45,267 applications for temporary protection.

At present, Finland has altogether 92 reception centres, their secondary branches and service points for people in private accommodation, as well as eight reception units for minors.

Some of the reception centres to be established are branches of existing reception centres. The Migri continues to increase the accommodation capacity in existing reception centres.

Against the backdrop of the increasing number of refugees, Migri opened Kerava Reception Centre on November 9 with 200 accommodation capacity.

The authority decided to open Outokumpu Reception Centre with 200 accommodation capacity on December 1 and Helsinki, Valimotie Branch (apartment-based) with 200 accommodations capacity on December 15.

The reception centres maintained by the Finnish Immigration Service are located in Helsinki, Lappeenranta (Joutseno) and Oulu. The other reception centres are maintained by organisations, Finnish municipalities and companies.

Earlier in late October, Migri opened new reception centres following the increased need to provide accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine.