The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has announced it is preparing to establish new reception centres to accommodate people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
According to Migri's estimate, at least several thousand more beds will be needed.
"We're not in a rush, but are preparing to open new facilities," said Pekka Nuutinen, head of Migri's reception centre unit, during an interview with Radio Suomi.
Nuutinen did not specify locations of new centres because no final decisions have yet been made. Migri cooperates with municipalities, organisations and companies in accommodating those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
There are officially about 32,000 people who have fled Ukraine currently in Finland. Roughly one-third of them have found housing in reception centres.
The immigration agency is preparing to accommodate between 40,000 and 80,000 Ukrainian arrivals this year.
There are currently 5,000 free beds in reception centres. Migri estimated that places are needed for those currently in temporary private accommodation as well as new arrivals and possible seasonal workers who arrived during the summer.
In addition, Nuutinen said it is likely that several thousand Ukrainians are in Finland who do not have a visa and have not yet applied for temporary protection.