The Ripper
07-11-2011, 02:26 PM
The Regional Council of Satakunta, an area along Finland's west coast, has circulated an appeal to local governments for greater tolerance and for the acceptance of more refugees for resettlement. So far, most reaction to the appeal, drawn up in cooperation with the regional Red Cross, has been negative.
"A few responses have been received from municipalities. For the most parts these have been negative. They have, for example, pointed to the local housing situation as a reason for not being able to give a positive response," says Project Coordinator Hanna Holm of the Finnish Red Cross Satakunta District.
To date only the municipality of Ulvila has made a decision on accepting refugees as a result of the appeal.
Finland has pledged to accept 750 refugees under an international quota system. At present there are around 250 refugees awaiting resettlement by local municipalities and a similar number of asylum-seekers who have been granted resident permits who are being temporarily housed in reception centres.
Excerpt from the appeal
"Waiting times for settlement in municipalities are long for both refugees arriving under quotas and for asylum-seekers who have been granted resident permits. From the perspective of the individual, this gives a signal that no one wants to help these people. These individuals have come from difficult circumstances and are highly motivated to find homes for themselves and their families, and jobs in order to be able to secure income for their families and to lead normal lives."
YLE (http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2011/07/some_municipalities_indifferent_to_refugees_271556 1.html)
"A few responses have been received from municipalities. For the most parts these have been negative. They have, for example, pointed to the local housing situation as a reason for not being able to give a positive response," says Project Coordinator Hanna Holm of the Finnish Red Cross Satakunta District.
To date only the municipality of Ulvila has made a decision on accepting refugees as a result of the appeal.
Finland has pledged to accept 750 refugees under an international quota system. At present there are around 250 refugees awaiting resettlement by local municipalities and a similar number of asylum-seekers who have been granted resident permits who are being temporarily housed in reception centres.
Excerpt from the appeal
"Waiting times for settlement in municipalities are long for both refugees arriving under quotas and for asylum-seekers who have been granted resident permits. From the perspective of the individual, this gives a signal that no one wants to help these people. These individuals have come from difficult circumstances and are highly motivated to find homes for themselves and their families, and jobs in order to be able to secure income for their families and to lead normal lives."
YLE (http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2011/07/some_municipalities_indifferent_to_refugees_271556 1.html)