Help for migrants

Every person has the right to seek asylum. This right is based e.g. on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The criteria for asylum are defined in law and international agreements to which Finland is committed.

In the event of large-scale migration, the Red Cross is prepared to provide humanitarian aid, both to support the authorities and independently, depending on what is needed. This preparedness is based on the planning and competence that the Red Cross maintains around Finland.

The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for processing the asylum applications and making decisions.

Red Cross volunteers support asylum seekers by visiting the reception centres and organising activities there, for example. These activities can be organised both in reception centres run by Red Cross districts and in centres maintained by other operators. Asylum seekers can also take part in integration support activities offered by Red Cross branches, such as language clubs or meeting cafés.

Quota refugees already have a refugee status granted by the UN when they come to Finland. The Finnish government annually defines the refugee quota. The Red Cross is not involved in the selection decisions of quota refugees. 

Red Cross volunteers support quota refugees in municipalities as part of their integration support. This support can include activities, such as Arjen apu (Help for housing and everyday life) everyday help, or participation in different clubs or cafés.

Undocumented persons are often in a particularly vulnerable position. They do not have a valid residence permit, which means that they are not covered by normal social security. Due to their status, undocumented migrants are vulnerable to abuse, human trafficking and criminal activity.

According to section 19 of the Constitution of Finland, “those who cannot obtain the means necessary for a life of dignity have the right to receive indispensable subsistence and care.”

The authorities must provide undocumented migrants with minimum income, accommodation and essential health services. Public authorities must also safeguard the right of children to go to school and provide accommodation suitable for children and families with children. Everyone residing in Finland has these rights regardless of their legal status.

The Finnish Red Cross aims to make sure that undocumented migrants’ right to indispensable subsistence and essential services is also realised. We help undocumented migrants find and access official and third sector services. We also provide discussion support, promote activity and help find solutions.

The Red Cross cooperates with organisations and other entities that help undocumented migrants, as well as the authorities.

Read here how the Red Cross supports migrants in an irregular situation, i.e. undocumented migrants.

People arriving in a new home country need support for organising their everyday affairs, learning the language and finding networks. The Red Cross integration support activities help you get to know Finnish society and find communities and networks in your new home city or town.

The Red Cross primarily supports the integration of migrants in vulnerable positions.

Examples of integration support available through the Red Cross: language clubs, Help for housing and everyday life, homework help, volunteer friend activities, meeting places and other group activities.

Here you can find more information about the volunteer activities supporting integration.

The Red Cross help families separated by conflicts, natural disasters and crisis situations around the world. We trace lost relatives and deliver messages where normal mail services or telecommunication links are unavailable due to exceptional circumstances.

The tracing work is led by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world participate in tracing work. The Finnish Red Cross is a part of this worldwide network.

The Finnish Red Cross and several national Red Cross Societies in Europe publish photos of people looking for their missing loved ones, hoping to reunite family members.

More information about our help in finding missing family members

The Finnish Red Cross provides information for quota refugees and residence permit holders living in Finland on the rules of family reunification and how to apply for it. We assist with contacts with the authorities and other organisations in Finland and abroad.

According to the rules of war, states must promote the reunification of family members lost in conflict. Children have the right to their parents and family life.

Every year, the Red Cross helps thousands of families reunite around the world. We work towards reuniting separated families as quickly as possible. Finnish legislation limits the right to family reunification to the nuclear family, i.e. spouse and underage children.

More information about family reunification