Finland Times

The number of asylum seekers has been relatively low during the first days of 2016, but the situation is closely monitored, said the Immigration Service.

An emergency accommodation center for asylum seekers run by the Finnish Red Cross in Lisalmi, central Finland, will be closed down by the end of this month, due to the expiration of the contract.

"In view of the current situation and the number of applicants, there is no need to extend the fixed-term contract with the center," said the Immigration Service in a press release.

 Another emergency shelter in Forssa, southern Finland, has been relocated to separate private apartments.

  Two reception centers in Merikarvia and Hamina respectively located in western and southern parts of the country, will also shut down in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Finnish Immigration Service is about to set up a few centers especially for minors.

Due to the large number of minor asylum seekers, many units had to accommodate asylum seekers beyond their capacity. Four new centers are expected to be established in different parts of Finland, said the authority.

More than 32,500 asylum seekers arrived in Finland in 2015. To accommodate the new arrivals, Finland has set up more than 50 new reception centers. In November 2015, there were 72 reception centers and nearly 130 service points around the country.