Wed, 26 Aug, 2015 12:05:08 AM
FTimes – STT Report, Aug 26
A new asylum reception center opened at Koskela in Helsinki on Tuesday. Photo – Lehtikuva.
Three reception centres for asylum are planned to be set up in Kontiolahti, Kouvola and Lappajärvi.
The Finnish Immigration Service will this week propose to the Interior Ministry the opening of a 150-200 capacity reception centre in Paihola, Kontiolahti.
The formal decision from the Interior Ministry is expected within a day upon the request.
The operation of the reception centre would begin no later than early October.
A reception centre of similar size is planned to be opened in Lappajärvi. The centre would be set up in an old school and two blocks of apartments nearby. The municipal authority has already announced that it is open to the idea.
The reception centre with a capacity to accommodate 250 asylum seekers is envisaged to be opened in Kouvola city. The municipal authority will decide the location next week.
All the new reception centres will be run by the Finnish Red Cross.
