The document summarizes Helsinki's responses to irregular immigrants. It notes that 620,000 people live in Helsinki, including 75,500 born abroad and 78,500 who speak a non-Finnish or Swedish language. Helsinki has provided various social and health services to irregular immigrants over the years, including 24/7 emergency social services since 2007, food banks since the early 1990s, and the Hirundo Day Center for beggars. More recently since 2013, services have included emergency health care, prenatal care, vaccination programs, and living allowances from social services in emergency cases. Child welfare services also assess and provide open or custodial care to children as needed.

1. Irregular immigrants – City responses of Helsinki
BASIC FACTS AND BACKGROUND
• 620 000 inhabitants of which 75 500persons born abroad
and 78 500 speak foreign native language (other than
Finnish or Swedish)
• 15 000 employees in Department of Social & Health
• Previous incidents – 1990 Somali refugees and Ingerian
remigrants (by invitation of the president Koivisto) – ad
hoc re-organizing emergency services -> 1992
permanent structure (Immigration Office) and National
legislation (Foreigners´ Act and Immigration Act)
• Since 1994/1995 full EU-membership – new members
from Eastern Europe and Baltic countries

2. Finnish citizens born abroad
Foreing citizens
Other native languages than Fi or Swe
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Persons
Ulkomailla syntyneet Suomen
kansalaiset
Ulkomaan kansalaiset
Vieraskieliset

3. Irregular immigrants – City responses of Helsinki
• 2007 Romanian and Bulgarian Roma people and street
begging; Child Welfare Act – International Agreements
for Childrens´ rights // Birth certificates and work
permissions & EU Social Security Card / Consulates
• 24/7 social emergency services 2007and Police social
work (+ forensic social work for suspected minors)
• 24/7 Crisis’ support services 2010
• Food banks by the Lutheran Church since early 1990’s
• the Lord Mayor´s working group => Hirundo Day Center
for beggars; Multi Authority co-operation & NGO:s
• Global Clinic (by voluntary physicians and Nurses) some
hundred cases per Year
• National Health Services Act 1.5.2011
• Hietaniemi Center for Homeless persons

4. Irregular immigrants – recent social and health services 2014
Since the City Board Directives (December 2013)
Social services today Health services today
• Emergency health services for all
patients in acute situations /
Malmi and Haartman clinics and
dental clinic
• Full health services for children
(under 18 years)
• Full health services for pregnant
females and new born families
• Prenatal/antenatal clinic services
• Vaccination and anti-epidemic
Pandemic services
• NGO:s Global Clinic, Doctors
without Borders, Red Cross
• Living allowance in emergent
cases (24/7), crisis support, food
and tickets to nearest consul
• Over night accomodation
(Hietaniemi Center for homeless)
• Child welfare services:
assessment and open care and
taking into care (if needed)
• National services for victims of
human trafficing (Migri)
• NGO:s Victims Support, Deacon
services, Refugee organizations,
Save the children, Night Cafe, etc

5. Head of Department
Health and substance
abuse services
Family and social
services
Personnel and development services
Financial and support services
Information management and
communication services
SOCIAL SERVICES AND HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE
Hospital, rehabilitation
and care services
Organization of the Department of Social Services
and Health Care 2014
First section
Second section
Third section