National Emergency Repatriation Framework

The National Emergency Repatriation Framework (NERF) provides foundational guidance for the emergency repatriation of U.S. citizens and their dependents from a foreign country. The U.S. Repatriation Program is managed by the Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR) within U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF).  OHSEPR leads all federal emergency repatriation planning and operations conducted as part of the U.S. Repatriation Program.

The NERF establishes scalable, flexible, and adaptable processes and responsibilities specific to emergency repatriation operations. This document incorporates activities, concepts, and coordinating structures into a cohesive framework to provide a unified understanding of emergency repatriation processes across the lifecycle. Implementation of the structures and concepts outlined in the NERF allows for a unified response including the coordinated delivery of resources and services. 

This version of the NERF builds on the first iteration published in 2021 and incorporates lessons learned from planning activities and real-world response efforts. This document is intended to inform governmental and non-governmental entities of foundational emergency repatriation processes and their roles and responsibilities across the emergency repatriation lifecycle.