Finland is expecting between 40,000 and 80,000 refugees to arrive from Ukraine, according to the immigration service's latest estimates.
Some 3.6 million Ukrainians have now fled the country and the number is likely to rise rapidly according to immigration director at the Ministry of the Interior, Sanna Sutter.
"It has become clear that it is not possible to precisely estimate what the actual figure will be this year," Sutter said at a press conference addressing Finland's preparedness on the matter on Wednesday.
Sutter added that Finland was "clearly going to carry its share" in accommodating Ukrainian refugees, although the exact share to be taken by each EU member state remained unclear.
2,000 currently in reception centres
Only 2,000, or roughly a quarter of the Ukrainians who have arrived since the war started have been allocated to spots in reception centres across the country.
"Most Ukrainians have opted to stay in private accommodation," the deputy director at the Finnish Immigration Service, Elina Immonen, said in the briefing.
Finland is however already making preparations to add to the 6,250 places that are currently available at reception centres, according to the immigration service.
Ukrainians have right to work
All those who arrive and have been granted temporary protection status will have the right to work, according to the Ministry of Employment and Economic Affairs.
The head of the migration department, Sonja Hämäläinen, said that the ministry was preparing to strengthen its employment services. Finland is currently suffering from a labour shortage that could benefit from incoming workers, Hämäläinen added.
The Employment Ministry also said that it was aware of ongoing attempts to exploit incoming Ukrainians, adding that it will be informing all migrants on the country's regulations on working conditions.
Basic education guaranteed for incoming children
All incoming Ukrainian children will have the right to take part in basic education, according to Eeva-Riitta Pirhonen, head of the Department for Early Childhood Education, Comprehensive School Education and Liberal Adult Education at the education ministry. Basic education includes Finnish and Swedish instruction as a second language.
"The best option would of course be preparatory education where basic Finnish and Swedish would be taught," Pirhonen said.
The children of working or studying parents will also be able to apply for early childhood education while Ukrainians will also be able to apply for higher education on the same terms as Finnish citizens.
According to the senior director, schools can also play an important role as a support system and in helping children feel safe.
Nevertheless, Finland has limited capabilities to deal with the war-related traumas of arriving Ukrainian refugees, according to Annu Lehtinen, head of the Finnish Refugee Council.
Lehtinen said that while Finland is prepared to deal with the immediate health care and crisis needs of the arrivals, there is a lack of experts capable of dealing with individuals who suffer from war-related trauma. Lehtinen stressed that those traumatised by war will need immediate care, as the psychological impact of war is likely to last on the longer term.
