Kriisivahendust

Kriisivahendust is a term used in Estonian public administration to describe a package of tools and measures activated in response to a crisis. It encompasses financial, regulatory, administrative and social instruments aimed at stabilizing essential functions, mitigating damages, and facilitating a rapid return to normal conditions. The concept is applied across sectors such as economy, public safety, health and social policy, and its exact scope can vary by policy framework.

Instruments commonly associated with kriisivahendust include emergency funding and liquidity facilities, loan guarantees or subsidized credit for businesses, temporary tax relief or deferrals, and relaxed procurement or regulatory procedures to speed responses. Administrative measures can involve expedited decision making, streamlined permit processes, and enhanced information sharing. Social components may include wage subsidies, unemployment support, or targeted subsidies to vulnerable groups. Non-financial elements often cover crisis communication, risk assessment, and contingency planning to maintain public trust and coordination among agencies.

Activation and governance typically depend on established legislation, policy documents, or state of emergency provisions. Authorities such as the ministry responsible for finance, disaster response agencies, or central banks may coordinate deployment, with prerequisites that may include thresholds, risk assessments, or parliamentary authorization in some jurisdictions. Evaluation and sunset clauses are common to ensure measures are regularly reviewed and scaled back when the crisis subsides.

See also: emergency measures, crisis management, financial stimulus, disaster relief.