Civilian host nation support is the apparatus in a country that ensures a good and efficient reception of assistance from abroad, in a situation where the responsible national authority does not have the necessary resources available to deal with a major incident and therefore requests these from other countries. Just as important as emergency aid being sent out in a crisis situation, it is that there is a good reception system to receive the help when it arrives.
Host nation support means removing any obstacle to international aid to ensure the most effective possible response to affected countries. This can apply to all stages of the response – from customs clearance of goods and materials, to legal obstacles to the support being used in the affected country, to logistics and transport in the affected country. The host nation should be able to provide an apparatus that can coordinate host nation support with all the necessary actors.
Since we can never predict what the next disaster will be, where it will hit or who it will involve, it is crucial that Norwegian sectors plan for the reception of aid in their own sector. The four principles of proximity, equality, responsibility and cooperation that form the basis for Norwegian crisis preparedness will also apply in a situation where receiving assistance from abroad becomes relevant. It is therefore important that each sector has considered what type of assistance it may be appropriate to request in a crisis situation. It is also important that each sector knows how assistance can be requested; are prepared to receive the assistance; and can handle it in an efficient and responsible manner.
The EU Civil Preparedness Mechanism has prepared a set of guidelines for the receipt of international assistance through the EU Civil Preparedness Mechanism. The guidelines are a non-binding tool intended to provide guidance and support for the delivery of effective and effective international assistance in a major emergency. They are intended to support and assist affected countries in receiving international assistance in an incident, by highlighting the key actions to be taken in relation to contingency planning, emergency management and coordination, logistics, transportation, and legal and financial issues.
The guidelines are under revision.