Finnish participation to international civil protection

Finland participates in international civil protection through international organisations, contracts or partners. As a country, Finland will not send independent missions but supports international actors with its own resources.

The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism

In 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was established, fostering cooperation among national civil protection authorities across Europe. The Mechanism currently includes all 28 EU Member States in addition to Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. The Mechanism was set up to enable coordinated assistance from the participating states to victims of natural and man-made disasters in Europe and elsewhere.

Finland is participating actively in the Mechanism, and is currently having a Technical Assistance and Support Team (TAST) registered in the Mechanism Voluntary Pool.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort.

Finland participates in the work of OCHA by seconding experts to the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team (UNDAC).

International Humanitarian Partnership

The International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) is a voluntary multinational operational network between eight governmental emergency management agencies in Europe, active in the field of humanitarian assistance. The agencies are part of, funded and supported by their respective governments. IHP has a strong capacity to support the United Nations, the European Union and other international organisations during emergency situations. IHP is a close-nit network structure. Through the use of standardised but flexible and pre-trained emergency modules IHP can respond quickly and to acual needs. For example, rapdily deployable coordination centers and ICT-kits, as well as large base camps housing up to 300 international aid workers are some of the core modules deployed to disasters worldwide.

Finland has contributed to the work of IHP actively by seconding camp management and IT experts. In addition, Finland is also actively involved in developing IHP strategies and plans of action.