Number of children seeking asylum close to record
Underage arrivals coming from Iraq, Somalia, and Afghanistan
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The number of underage asylum seekers arriving in Finland without a guardian has increased rapidly in Finland this year. By the end of the summer more than 150 such applicants had arrived, whereas last year the number was below 100 and in the previous year, it was just 108.
Top Interior Ministry official Veikko Pyykkönen estimates that the total number for this year will be greater than ever before. The ministry has not found a reason for the sudden surge in applicants.
“The greatest number of underage applicants have come from Iraq, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Events in these countries could explain the growth.
Most of the applicants are between the ages of 15 and 17.
The total number of asylum applicants has also risen, after a lull of a few years.
To accommodate the increase, the Ministry of the Interior has increased the capacity of the Kontiolahti, Kotka, Oravainen, Oulu, and Rovaniemi reception centres from 100 to 150.
The capacity of the Helsinki centre has been increased from 180 to 233, and that of the Joutseno centre has been expanded from 150 to 250. The amount of space in Turku and Kajaani has remained unchanged.
The reception centres are now being used at 77 per cent of capacity.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 18.8.2008 - TODAY |
 Number of children seeking asylum close to record |
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