Host Nation Support (HNS)

1
Host Nation Support (HNS)

• A short presentation of the ongoing work within
  the Nordic framework
• Ørjan N. Karlsson Head, International
  Relations. Norwegian Directorate for Civil
  Protection and Emergency Planning.

2
Background

• Why focus on HNS?
• How do we take onboard specific lessons learned
  from events and disasters, such as hurricane
  Katrina, the storm Gudrun (Sweden), and the
  recent South European forest fires?
• The initiative stems from a 2006 meeting of the
  Nordic Director Generals. Norway proposed to take
  lead. Two workshops has so far been conducted. At
  the same time, work is ongoing in the Nordic
  capitals.
• IOs, such as the UN (Joint Unit) NATO EADRCC and
  IFRC has participated as well.

3
Examples of relevant international
agreements/guidelines to be incorporated in an
overall HNS framework

• NATO MoU Vital Cross Border Transport
• NORDRED (example of a regional cooperation)
• IFRC International Disaster Response Law
  (IDRL). Nations made a pledge to the IDRL on the
  IFRC-convention before Christmas 07
• International Search and Rescue Response
  Guidelines (INSARAG)
• Tampere convention
• Main point a HNS process must add value. We
  dont need to reinvent the wheel.

4
Snapshot the February 13th workshop

• The countries gave short presentations on how
  their work in the field of HNS is progressing.
• The EADRCC gave a brief on the work ongoing in
  NATO.
• The Joint unit (UN) highlighted specific HNS
  issues with regards to large environmental
  disasters.
• The Norwegian Red Cross gave an update on how the
  IDRL work is progressing.
• The group discussed and ultimately decided to
  look closer into the matter of an EU financed
  project on HNS. This has yet to be decided.
• How do we exercise HNS?

Participants from Sweden, Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, The Faeroe islands, Holland, Norway, Red
Cross, NATO and FN
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Conceptual model How to request, receive, and
utilise foreign resources.
Assessment of the situation Requesting foreign assistance Reception and registration Transport of assets to the stricken area. Operational utilisation of the resources End of mission. Return to point of dis-embarkation. Registration and return of assets/ personnel to country of origin.
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The way ahead

• (National) The DSB has been tasked to analyse if
  our current legislation and planning is in tune
  with the International Guidelines for the
  Domestic Facilitation and Regulation of
  International Disaster Relief and Initial
  Recovery Assistance.
• (Regional) The Nordic cooperation will go on as
  long as the participating nations/organisations
  deem it relevant.
• (Community) From a Norwegian point of view, there
  is room for an initiative on the community level.
  Norway would be happy to discuss viable ways
  ahead with other interested nations and/or with
  the Commission.