ACCROSS

HNS

Host National Society

National Societies (NS) often operate in countries outside their own, guided by the principle of universality[1] (see quotation below). To discriminate between these 'partner' societies and the society of the country in which they operate, the 'hosting' national society is denoted the 'Host National Society' (HNS), whereas the foreign national societies are referred to as 'Partner National Societies' (PNS).

The seventh fundamental principle of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, universality:

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.