Finnish Red Cross supporting the authorities in responding to people's basic needs at the Niirala Border Crossing Point
The Finnish Red Cross is on-site at the Niirala Border Crossing Point opening on 14 December at the request of the Finnish Border Guard. The FRC’s volunteers are providing first aid to people arriving in Finland and taking care of their basic needs.
The volunteers and employees of the Savo-Karelia district of the Finnish Red Cross will be on-site at the Niirala Border Crossing Point from Thursday 14 December onwards. The volunteers are providing arrivals with hot meals and drinks to prevent freezing and, where necessary, first aid.
– We previously supported the Finnish Border Guard at the Raja-Jooseppi, Salla and Vartius border crossing points. Preparing for various exceptional situations is part of the Red Cross's basic work, and we are always prepared to support the authorities in responding to people's basic needs. We prepare for exceptional circumstances by practising scenarios in advance with the authorities, for example, says Head of Migration at the Finnish Red Cross Erja Reinikainen.
Providing humanitarian aid is the most important task of the Red Cross, and the organisation offers aid to those in need regardless of their legal or social status. However, responsibility for people’s safety and wellbeing and the asylum process ultimately rests with the authorities.
