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Tue, 08 Sep, 2015 12:08:54 AM FTimes – STT Report, Sep 8  Minister for Foreign Trade and International Development Lenita Toivakka spoke at a press conference in Helsinki on Monday. Photo – Lehtikuva. The country is contemplating whether to increase humanitarian aid to help victims of the war in Syria.
According to the Minister for International Development and Foreign Trade Lenita Toivakka, countries neighbouring Syria especially need help since they have received the majority of refugees from Syria.
“Not all are able to leave, and it is important we are able to help on the spot,” Toivakka told a press conference on Monday.
The Minister, however, did not reveal how much aid is being considered, but hopes for further assistance in this year's fourth supplementary budget.
In any case, the leeway is limited and the already cuts on development cooperation aid cannot be compromised.
Finland has directed approximately euro 60 million in support of the victims of the Syrian conflict since 2011.
About euro 40 million has been in humanitarian aid and about euro 20 million has gone to development aid.
The government meets today to decide on new measures and additional resources following the worsening Mediterranean refugee crisis.
The government is also scheduled to discuss the relocation of refugees within the country, the fast tracking of processing asylum applications and the need for additional appropriations.
The general prevailing climate regarding the issue and the integration of the immigrants are also likely to be raised during the meeting.
Toivakka said the situation has changed after the drafting of the government programme.
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