Migrants get warm by a fire on March 18, 2016 at a makeshift camp at the Greek-Macedonian border, near the Greek village of Idomeni. Tens of thousands of refugees are trapped in dire conditions after Balkan countries shut their borders, many of them at the overwhelmed border town of Idomeni. Photo AFP-LEHTIKUVA
Finland will send blankets, tarpaulins, soap and 200 tents to Greece through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to improve conditions in refugee camps, said an official press release on Friday.
Greece has requested material assistance from other EU countries, because the number of migrants crossing the border between Greece and Macedonia has increased dramatically, and conditions in the camps are harsh.
The equipment will be sent on Monday 21 March. It has been acquired by the Ministry of the Interior and the National Emergency Supply Agency.
The costs will be borne by the Ministry. The Finnish Red Cross will assist the Ministry in transporting the equipment. The majority of transport costs will be reimbursed by the European Commission.
The Ministry of the Interior has informed the Commission that, if requested by Greece, Finland is also prepared to send experts in the country.
