2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Refugees need a home. 2015

TURVAA JA SUOJAA It is often asked why refugees do not return to their homeland. Photo from Homs, in Syria. Photo: Rauli Virtanen

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Number of asylum seekers rising During 2015, approximately 30,000–50,000 asylum seekers will come to Finland. In previous years, there have been around 3,000– 4,000 asylum seekers. They will wait in reception centres for their application to be processed. The increased number of asylum seekers requires new reception centres to be opened. The Finnish Red Cross establishes reception centres at the request of the Finnish Immigration Service.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA FRC-run reception centres in Finland In June, there were six reception centres run by the FRC On 26 November, there were 92, and negotiations or final preparations were under way for another 45 centres. FRC accommodation capacity: The Tornio distribution centre for the registration of asylum seekers was opened on 22 September. By the end of November, nearly asylum seekers had entered the country from Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Albania, and Syria. Approximately new volunteers have signed up during autumn

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA The asylum process The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) rejects the application for asylum and drafts a decision on turning the asylum seeker away. The police will inform the asylum seeker of the decision and is responsible for enforcing the refusal of entry. The asylum seeker may appeal the decision at the Helsinki Administrative Court. If the Supreme Administrative Court grants the asylum seeker the right of appeal, they may appeal the decision of the Administrative Court at the Supreme Administrative Court. Registering the application with the border guard or police The police will verify the asylum seeker’s identity, arrival in Finland, and travel route. The asylum seeker will stay at a reception centre or in private accommodation. Asylum interview Asylum granted: the seeker may stay in Finland Granted Denied

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA How does the system work? The reception centre offers the asylum seekers accommodation and basic social and healthcare services. Reception allowance either € (no meals provided) or €92.64 (meals provided by the reception centre) per month. The reception centre offers interpretation and translation services for the asylum seekers. The asylum seekers are required to participate in work and study activities. Asylum seekers are allowed to work after having been in the country for 3–6 months.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Compensation to municipalities The state compensates municipalities for the costs arising from operations that aim to support the integration of the asylum seekers according to the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (1386/2010, Section 6). The state also pays for the reception expenses.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA A local reception centre

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA A local reception centre The reception centre will hire people to manage the operations of the centre. The staff can be contacted if the operations of the centre cause disturbances in the local area. Volunteer activities that engage the asylum seekers accommodated in the centre are extremely welcome. The volunteer operations may include language clubs, children’s activities, friend activities, sports and games, or cooking clubs, for example.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Volunteers playing with children at a reception centre.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA A local reception centre [Trainer: add the latest local information here] The Finnish Red Cross will continue to organise briefings about the operations of the centre. The necessary training and guidance is organised for the volunteers.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Local information [Number of accommodation places at the centre Number of staff How school, health, and social services are organised]

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA [Example:] The staff planned for the Harjavalta reception centre Accommodation for 260 people To be opened early September Staff required: Manager Nurse Social worker Clerk 6–10 instructors

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Terminology Migrant A person moving to another country in hopes of a better life, and/or for reasons related to work, studies, or a relationship. Asylum seeker A person seeking asylum in the country they have arrived in, who considers themselves eligible to be considered a refugee: danger of losing one’s life or freedom, persecution. Refugee A person who meets the requirements for refugee status in accordance with the Geneva Refugee Convention (a person who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion), and to whom the receiving country has granted asylum.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Where do asylum seekers come from?

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Where do asylum seekers come from? Most asylum seekers have come from Iraq, Somalia, Albania, and Afghanistan, and to a lesser extent, from Syria and Nigeria, among others. Iraq: The highest number of acts of violence since 2006–2007. Between January 2014 and April 2015, over 44,000 civilians suffered acts of violence. At the end of July 2015, over 8.6 million people were in need of humanitarian aid. There are over 3.2 million internally displaced people in Iraq, and over 250,000 refugees from Syria. In 2014, the Red Cross helped over two million people in Iraq. Syria During the conflict situation that has lasted for four years, over 240,000 people have died and over one million people have been wounded. There are some 7.6 million internally displaced people in Syria, 50% of whom are children. Over 400,000 refugees in the neighbouring countries. The humanitarian situation is grim: over 12.2 million people are estimated to require aid, 5.6 million of whom are children. The extremely poor security situation complicates and in some cases, prevents aid reaching those who need it.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Where do asylum seekers come from? The Mediterranean region The number of migrants coming to Europe is increasing rapidly. During the first six months of 2015, 87,000 people came to Italy, mainly from Eritrea and Syria. 200,000 people arrived by boat to Greece during the first seven months of 2015, most of whom landed on small tourist islands. The Red Cross offers the entrants food, drink, hygiene supplies, health services, emotional support, and assistance in registration and finding lost family members. Somalia: Prolonged conflict for over 20 years. Approximately 50% of the population, some 3.2 million people, live without basic services, and over one million people need food aid. Some 1.1 million internally displaced people. Difficult to deliver aid due to insecurity. The Red Cross provides e.g. food security, fresh water, and sanitation. In addition to this, 421,500 people received medical care through the Red Cross in 2014.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA The situation in Greece Over 200,000 people have arrived in Greece, most of them on islands.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA The situation in Macedonia The Macedonian Red Cross takes care of people going from Greece towards Serbia.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA The situation in Serbia On the worst days, almost 10,000 people have arrived in Serbia on their way towards Hungary.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA The situation in Hungary 140,000 people have been registered. The number of people who have passed through Hungary is not known.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA The situation in Austria The Austrian Red Cross has taken care of thousands of people every day on the Hungarian border.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA The situation in Italy Around 2,000 people have drowned this year already between Italy and North Africa. Some 70,000 have survived.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Together for humanity: equal human rights for everyone. The Red Cross aims to help those most vulnerable. Refugees need international help and protection. The organisation has experience and know-how. Why is the Finnish Red Cross involved?

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA We do our best Information sessions concerning rules and cultural practices are organised regularly for people staying at the reception centres. The units have employees and are monitored. The residents do not want any trouble, but there can be consequences. We do everything we can to ensure that everyone can feel good. Please, tell us where we can improve. Why is the Finnish Red Cross involved?

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA What can an ordinary citizen do? These issues we cannot help with: Wars and crises in the asylum seekers’ countries of origin. International treaties Finland has signed. Decisions to move by individual people. But: We can decide whether to relate positively or negatively to people. Are we building a threatening situation? If we smile and say hello, they will answer in kind. Do you want asylum seekers to smile at you, or to be afraid of you? We’re sure you both are nervous.

2015 TURVAA JA SUOJAA Thank you for caring!