Signing of a MOU between the IARU and the IFRC

To: - All Canadian Radio Amateurs
Re: - Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The International Amateur Radio Union, IARU and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC

As you know, the prime reason why we are able to justify keeping our frequencies and previledges around the world is because of our ability to provide communications in cases of disaster.

When situations arise that communications are either destroyed or inadequate, authorities know that they can call on Amateurs to support them at no cost and that they will be providing their own equipments. The same help is also offered to the World's major Non Governamental Organisations (NGOs) providing humanitarian aid to populations in need.

This willingnes and ability to help by the Amateur Service and the Amateur Satellite Service has also been recognized by the ratification of the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) Tempere (Finland) Convention.

Another step towards general global recognition of our offered abilities to serve came with the recent signing of a MOU between the IARU and the IFRC.

On June 27th, 2008, Mr Markku Niskala, the IFRC Secretary General and Mr Thimothy St. J. Ellam, VE6SH, Vice President of the International Amateur Radio Union, signed this very important document.

Thank you to the IARU international team of negotiators for this success.

73,

Daniel A. Lamoureux, VE2KA
- Vice President International Affairs,
Radio Amateurs of Canada
- Director Area A,
IARU Region 2
- Chair, Emergency Communications Committee (EMCOMM)
IARU Region 2

ve2ka@iaru.org