Travelling funds won't solve Roma problem

After a massive drop in temperatures the city of Helsinki has offered 40 Roma living in a caravan camp money to fund their return journey to Romania. The liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat takes the view that it is the EU's task to give them support where they live now instead: "With its decision Helsinki is outsourcing the problem temporarily rather than actually dealing with it. It would be a disgrace for the city and the entire country if beggars were left to die in the cold or huddling in front of a fire at their camp. ... But individual deportations or travel funding decisions won't solve the Roma problem. A solution must be found at the EU level and adequate funding needs to be made available. Doling out money won't help the Roma if at the same time they don't ensure that money is used to help the Roma in their home country. ... It is a disgrace for the entire EU that within its borders a huge group of people are wandering around seeking a place which offers them the prerequisites for living in a manner that befits human beings."

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