Three-minute silence scheduled for Wednesday within European Union

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The European Union will observe a three-minute silence on Wednesday to commemorate those who died in the Asian natural disaster on December 26th. The special moment of remembrance will begin at 12.00 Finnish time in all EU member states.
      At Monday’s press conference Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) expressed the Government’s hope that all citizens would observe the silence.
      A national ecumenical service to commemorate the victims of the Asian earthquake and tsunami will be held in Turku Cathedral on Thursday. The President and government will participate in the service. Next Sunday’s church services will also be dedicated to the memory of the tsunami victims.
      Another silent moment will be held at Finnish schools on Tuesday of next week, as in some areas, including the Helsinki region, schools are still having their Christmas break.
     
The government is preparing to arrange additional aid to about 150 municipalities for crisis therapy. Minister of Regional and Municipal Affairs Hannes Manninen (Centre) urged municipalities to make clear-cut decisions on the way the support should be arranged.
      At present the Finnish toll is 15 confirmed dead and 183 missing. It is not thought that any more than a handful of these missing persons will be found alive. Forensic scientists working in Thailand reported on Monday that a further 10 hitherto unidentified bodies are believed to be of Finnish origin.
     
The Ministry for Social Affairs and Health regards it as necessary to appoint a support person to all those who survived, to help them to cope with practical issues.
      According to Minister for Social Services Liisa Hyssälä (Centre), a close relative has been found for all children who have lost their parents in the disaster.
     
Social security issues are also being examined. Among them are for example all expenses related to medical care and rehabilitation, as well as to psycho-social support. The question of legal aid is also under examination.
      According to Minister of Social Affairs and Health Sinikka Mönkäre (Social Democrat), it is possible that even legislative changes will have to be made. Moreover, she stressed the need to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.
     
To make the situation easier, a new law is in the making to expedite the process for declaring a missing person legally dead. The bill is due for release in February, as soon as the Parliament has returned from recess.
      The Foreign Affairs Committee will gather next week to hear a report of the handling of the Asian catastrophe. The Prime Minister will convey the report to Parliament at the beginning of February.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Last evacuation flight from Thailand arrives in Helsinki (3.1.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat