National Emergency Supply Agency / Organisation

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Securing supply in Finland has been organised as a comprehensive co-operation network. Participants are various sectors of the public administration and business, as well as branch organisations. Emergency preparedness is extended to cover the entire national economy and to reach all its branches, including certain plants producing goods and services that are necessary for securing supply. Various sectors of public administration, from central government to local administrative agencies, are prepared to take the necessary measures under emergency conditions. The National Emergency Supply Agency supports, guides, and co-ordinates the development of these activities.

The National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA) is a body working under the auspices of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Its task is planning and operative activities for the purpose of maintaining and developing the country's security of supply.

The objective is to safeguard economic activities necessary to the population's livelihood, the national economy and national defence during emergency situations and serious disturbances to normal life. Today the core activity is safeguarding the functioning of technical systems.

National Emergency Supply Organisation (NESO) consists of a high level Council for Security of Supply and Infrastructure (CSSI), a planning committee network (Clusters and Pools), and an executive National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA).
The six NESO Clusters and 24 Industry Pools are a network of committees consisting of the leading 1000 experts from both the public administration and the business world.

The expenses resulting from maintaining the security of supply are financed centrally by the Security of Supply Fund, which is external to the State budget and which is managed by the National Emergency Supply Agency. The Fund covers the expenses arising from security stockpiling, technical emergency schemes, and readiness planning.

The legislation is twofold: on the one hand we have legislation for preparations and on the other hand for granting special powers to the authorities in emergency situations.

Security of supply has a long tradition in Finland.

The need for it became evident during the First World War. During the 1920s and 1930s there were several committees and councils working in the field, but with lean results.

When the Second World War started, Finland was poorly prepared from the point of view of economic defence. Massive preparations had to be made and carried out while the country was waging a total war.