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1.3.2024 | Czechia has requested assistance in preparing for wildfires through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Finland responds to the request by sending a risk management expert to join the EU’s international team in the country. 

9.10.2023 | The Government will propose an appropriation of approximately EUR 2.5 billion for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior in the 2024 Budget.

9.11.2022 | Finland has been providing Ukraine with more civilian material assistance over the course of October–November. On 18 October, Finland sent one truckload of back-up generators badly needed by Ukraine and two truckloads of personal protective equipment were sent in early November. The material assistance was provided through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.

23.2.2024 | The second anniversary of the beginning of the Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine in its entirety will be this week on 24 February 2024. However, one anniversary was already observed last week on 15 February, when it had been exactly two years since the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism following Ukraine’s request for assistance.

5.3.2024 | Ukraine has requested assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in preparing for threats related to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents. Finland responds to the request by sending an expert to join the EU’s international team.

7.12.2022 | On Wednesday 7 December, Finland sent buses to Ukraine to be used to transport children and young people to school. This donation is part of the European Commission’s solidarity campaign. Russia’s war of aggression has affected an estimated 5.7 million schoolchildren in Ukraine with many schools having been destroyed in bombing.

24.10.2024 | On 24 October, the Government issued a decree laying down provisions on cooperation in preparedness for civil defence and related plans in the wellbeing services counties. The decree specifies the practices of cooperation between the authorities of the wellbeing services counties.

23.10.2023 | Finland and the EU have continued their active support for the Ukrainian authorities to mitigate the effects of the Russian attacks. The Ministry of the Interior coordinates the assistance that Finland sends to Ukraine through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism together with the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre ERCC. Most of the material sent to Ukraine has been donated by private and public sector operators.

8.4.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft proposal for amending the Rescue Act and the Act on the Emergency Services Academy. Comments on the draft will be accepted until 20 May 2022.

8.5.2024 | During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland has actively delivered civilian material assistance to Ukraine. A total of 76 vehicles and 311 truckloads of aid have been donated from Finland. The collection and delivery of material assistance to Ukraine continues.

12.10.2022 | In August-September, Finland delivered a total of five trucks to Ukraine that contained civil defence equipment, hospital supplies and scanning equipment. The material assistance was provided through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.

22.9.2022 | The Government proposes several amendments to the Rescue Act and the Act on the Emergency Services Academy. For example, it is proposed that the obligation to purchase and maintain smoke detectors in apartments be transferred from residents to building owners.

29.12.2022 | Finland has sent more energy sector supplies and hospital supplies to Ukraine. Last week, Finland also delivered school furniture for the first time. This year, Finland has delivered a total of 55 trucks of civilian material assistance to Ukraine. New assistance packages are being prepared, among other things, for the energy sector.

16.8.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance have launched an extensive project to examine the need for the development of regional preparedness and situation awareness activities. The aim is to introduce as uniform an operating model and practices as possible for managing emergency conditions and various incidents under normal conditions across Finland.

20.10.2023 | Because of the escalating conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, more than 100,000 Armenians have fled the region towards Armenia. Armenia has therefore requested assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This includes, among other things, necessities such as food packages, clothing and hygiene supplies.

31.8.2023 | Finland sent a large amount of wastewater treatment plant equipment to Ukraine at the end of August. The equipment will make a significant contribution to helping Ukraine meet its water supply needs, which have grown during the summer. Finland and the EU have continued their active support of the Ukrainian authorities to mitigate the effects of the Russian attacks.

3.9.2024 | “Next year’s budget proposal shows that the Government has the will to strengthen security. In Finland, help is available in times of need,” says Lulu Ranne, Minister of Transport, Communications and the Interior.

14.9.2023 | Libya has requested assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism following the destruction caused by Storm Daniel on 12 September. Libya has requested a wide range of assistance, including shelters, medical supplies and expert assistance.

28.3.2023 | Russia has destroyed people's homes and healthcare infrastructure in Ukraine. There is a great need for assistance in Ukraine. Since March 2022, Finland has provided Ukraine with necessary civilian material assistance. Most recently, Finland has sent, for example, one thousand maternity packages to Ukraine in February and March 2023. 

29.7.2022 | By decision of the Ministry of the Interior, Finland is sending 50 rescue workers to Greece to help manage wildfires. The Emergency Services Academy is the employer of the posted experts.

23.3.2023 | The provisions on the processing of personal data in emergency response centre operations will be updated to comply with the EU data protection legislation. The legislative amendments will not affect the right of the Emergency Response Centre Agency’s operators to process personal data needed in their work.

6.2.2023 | Finland is rapidly sending a team of experts to Türkiye to assist in rescue efforts following a major earthquake. The experts will be deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

29.7.2020 | The European Commission has granted significant co-financing to the Oulu-Koillismaa Rescue Department for a high capacity pumping module. The high capacity pumping module is a joint project of four Rescue Departments in northern Finland (Oulu-Koillismaa, Jokilaaksot, Kainuu and Lappi).

17.11.2022 | The Government proposes approximately EUR 217 million for the Ministry of the Interior's branch of government in the amendment to the 2023 budget proposal. 

8.2.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has decided to send two experts to Madagascar, where tropical cyclone Batsirai has caused extensive damage due to heavy rains, strong wind and floods. Pelastusopisto – Emergency Services Academy Finland is the employer of the posted experts.

31.8.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to prepare urgent and necessary amendments to the Rescue Act. The aim is to update the Rescue Act on the basis of a preliminary study and the comments received on it during the consultation round.

4.3.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has decided to send three experts to Moldova to assist in coordinating the humanitarian assistance needed by people fleeing Ukraine. The experts left Finland on Friday morning.

17.9.2015 | Ministry of the Interior to reform rescue services Ministry of the Interior Publication date 17.9.2015 15.04 Type: Press release Minister of the Interior Petteri Orpo will set up a project to reform rescue services. The reform will be implemented ...

26.2.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to reform the administration of rescue services. The project will prepare for the implementation of the rescue services reform by developing the national guidance system to meet the requirements of the reform. The goal is to transfer the responsibility for organising rescue services from municipalities to wellbeing services counties in a controlled manner.

18.11.2021 | In the supplementary budget proposal for 2022, a total increase of EUR 20.4 million is proposed for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior. Appropriations are proposed for the development of the national security authorities’ KEJO common information system (EUR 6.85 million), for the Emergency Response Centre Administration’s information system fees (EUR 1.3 million) and for ...

24.5.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has submitted the draft equality and non-discrimination action plan for rescue services for statements. The aim of the action plan is rescue services that actively and systematically promote equality in the long term. The draft action plan will be out for comments from 24 May to 30 June 2021.

14.4.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has decided to send two experts to Poland and Slovakia to assist in coordinating the humanitarian assistance needed by people fleeing Ukraine. The experts left Finland on Wednesday evening. The Emergency Services Academy Finland is the employer of the posted experts.

30.5.2023 | On 30 May 2023, Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will attend an informal meeting of EU civil preparedness ministers in Brussels on CBRN threats (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear). The coordination meeting was convened by Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič and the Swedish Minister of Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin.

30.6.2022 | A working group appointed by the Ministry of the Interior has drawn up the first national radiation measurement strategy. The aim of the strategy is to ensure that Finland is prepared for managing various radiation hazards and to improve the readiness for radiation measurement to safeguard the functioning of society and its vital functions.

8.12.2020 | According to the government proposal, the wellbeing services counties and the City of Helsinki would be responsible for organising rescue services in their respective areas starting at the beginning of 2023. Contract fire brigades could be used to provide these services as at present. The role of central government guidance and direction in rescue services would be strengthened.

27.10.2022 | In its fourth supplementary budget for 2022, the Government has proposed a total of EUR 9.0 million in additional funding for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior and EUR 6.0 million in funding outside of the budgeted spending limits for a pilot section of a fence on the eastern border.

13.5.2015 | Barents Rescue 2015 Exercise in Kittilä this autumn

8.4.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments the memorandums of the working groups that examined possible needs to amend the Rescue Act. The preliminary study assessed the functioning and clarity of the provisions of the Rescue Act, and whether they are up to date. In addition to the amendments included in the legislative package of the health and social services reform, the preliminary st...

6.9.2022 | Finland has sent an expert in international civil protection to Pakistan to assist in coordinating humanitarian aid related to monsoon floods. The expert left Finland on Tuesday 6 September.

22.2.2023 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will visit Moldova on 22–24 February. During the visit, Mikkonen will meet the Moldovan Minister of Internal Affairs Ana Revenco and the Representative of the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR in Moldova, Francesca Bonelli, among others. The topics of discussion in the meetings during the trip include Ukraine’s refugees and civilian crisis management.

11.2.2023 | Finland has provided material assistance in the form of emergency accommodation for approximately 3,000 people in Türkiye. Preparations are also underway to deliver material assistance to Syria quickly. The need for assistance in the rescue and clearance operations is great in the aftermath of the earthquake. The first instalment arrived in Türkiye today and was delivered through NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EARDCC).

15.6.2020 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Interior request comments on the draft government proposal concerning the health and social services reform and the organisation of rescue services. The act would lay down provisions on, for example the organisation of rescue services, and the system of management and coordination as well as development and oversight of rescue services.

26.8.2015 | Kansainvälistä pelastustoimintaa harjoitellaan Kittilässä syksyllä 2015

28.8.2023 | Finland's civil defence shelters are largely in good repair, but there is still some need for maintenance and repairs. A new Ministry of the Interior study shows that more than 90 per cent of civil defence shelters would provide people with good protection against the effects of conventional weapons. Shelter equipment is in most need of repair. Based on the report, the Ministry of the Interior has drawn up four recommendations for improving the network of civil defence shelters.

2.12.2022 | On 2 December 2022, ministers responsible for civil preparedness or their deputies from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland met in Reykjavik in the framework of so-called Haga cooperation. State Secretary Akseli Koskela from the Ministry of the Interior represented Finland at the meeting.

11.3.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has decided to send two experts to Bata, Equatorial Guinea, where an explosion at a munitions depot has caused extensive destruction. Equatorial Guinea has requested international assistance in the rescue operations following the explosion accident. The Emergency Services Academy Finland will serve as the employer of the posted experts.

26.11.2021 | Finland has received EU funding to build a rescue team for fighting forest fires. The European Commission granted co-financing for a joint project of the rescue departments of South Karelia, North Karelia, South Savo, North Savo and Kymenlaakso for the procurement of special equipment required for a rescue team fighting forest fires.

30.9.2021 | The final report on the implementation of the action plan for incident prevention for rescue services has now been published. According to the report, closer cooperation between different actors is needed and tools must be developed for qualitative evaluation.

23.3.2023 | Considerable increases are proposed to appropriations in the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior in the technical spending limits presented in the new General Government Fiscal Plan 2024–2027. The appropriation level of the Ministry of the Interior will be c. EUR 2.4 billion at the beginning of the spending limits period, decreasing to c. EUR 1.9 billion in 2027. This represents an increase of EUR 179 to 547 million per year compared to the previous spending limits decision. 

14.2.2023 | The Ministry of the Interior has published an updated national risk assessment. The previous risk assessment was published in 2018, after which several changes have taken place in Finland’s operating environment. The national risk assessment anticipates sudden incidents targeted at Finland that have an impact on the vital functions of society and require the authorities to adopt exceptional measures or even request help from other countries. 

30.11.2022 | On 24 November, Finland sent much needed help for the energy sector in Ukraine. The delivery package comprised components of the electricity grid, such as current transformers, circuit breakers and relays. Earlier this autumn, 28 current transformers were delivered to Ukraine.

11.2.2016 | National risks identified in Finland Ministry of the Interior Publication date 11.2.2016 10.59 Type: Press release This is a translation of the press release in Finnish published 11 February 2016 Finland's National Risk Assessment has been release...

3.10.2016 | Kansainvälisen terveysturvaohjelman Suomen työryhmä sai Damir Čemerin -palkinnon

5.9.2022 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will attend a coordination meeting convened by the European Commission and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU on Monday 5 September. The meeting will discuss preparedness for wildfires caused by the climate crisis. The meeting will be attended by ministers responsible for the internal security in the EU Member States and senior officials.

2.6.2020 | The Government negotiated the fourth supplementary budget proposal for 2020 on Tuesday 2 June. In the supplementary budget proposal, appropriation increases of EUR 10 and 5 million are proposed for the police and the Border Guard to ensure their operational capacity.

12.12.2016 | Finland sends maternity packages and other material assistance to Mosul for winter Ministry of the Interior Publication date 12.12.2016 13.42 Type: Press release Finland has today sent 268 tents, camping mats, blankets, tarpaulins and soap to the ...

31.10.2022 | Finland has sent two international civil protection experts to Havana, Cuba, to support the training of local urban search and rescue personnel. Having identified a lack of expertise among Havana’s local authorities in conducting rescue from collapsed structures, Cuba requested international assistance to train urban search and rescue workers. The experts left Finland on Monday 31 October.

17.11.2022 | On 17 November 2022, the Government decided that Finland will take ten asylum seekers rescued by the Ocean Viking vessel that docked in France. Priority will be given to vulnerable asylum seekers.

8.10.2015 | Barents Rescue -harjoitus opetti yhteistyötä rajojen yli

2.5.2022 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will visit Tallinn on 2–3 May and meet Estonian Minister of the Interior Kristian Jaani. The Ministers will discuss topics including the situation in Ukraine, the reception of people who have fled Ukraine, provision of international assistance and civil defence.