The Ministry of the Interior directs preparations for large-scale influxes of migrants

The Migration Department of the Ministry of the Interior directs and coordinates preparations for large-scale influxes of migrants and adapting to the situation in question.

A large-scale influx of migrants is a situation in which old and new reception centres for asylum seekers, including additional accommodation, are reaching maximum capacity and there is a constant influx of new migrants, with more arriving than leaving the country.

A situation involving a large-scale influx of migrants may arise gradually or abruptly, as a result of the massive displacement of people from a country towards Finland.

The authorities and organisations work together

The Ministry of the Interior steers the Finnish Immigration Service and the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in preparing for large-scale influxes of migrants and introducing the related preparedness plans.

Operating under the guidance of the Finnish Immigration Service, the asylum seeker reception system handles the reception of asylum seekers in normal times, or during disturbances occurring in normal times. The Finnish Immigration Service processes and decides on the rights of residence of those arriving during large-scale influxes of migrants.

Other key national authorities are the Finnish Border Guard and the police, who register arriving migrants. The Finnish Red Cross, municipalities, private actors and various organisations are responsible for maintaining reception centres.