At the 2007 Triennial IARU Region 2 Conference, the General Assembly established a Region 2 Relief Fund. Like many other areas around the world, portions of R2 are situated in areas that are subject to numerous hurricanes, severe storms, floods, earthquakes and other types of natural disasters. During some of these natural disasters, Region 2 national amateur radio societies have suffered severe or extreme damage to their society stations and buildings, including antenna systems. The societies in Region 2 felt there was a need for a process of collecting donations and distributing donations to Region 2 Member Societies who have suffered damage to their national society stations or buildings that are due to natural disaster.

The resolution passed unanimously by the Region societies at the conference directed that funds accumulated in the Region 2 Relief Fund shall be distributed by the R2 Executive Committee solely to assist Region 2 Member Societies for repairing or rebuilding stations and buildings, including antenna systems, because of damages resulting from natural disasters. Member Societies that receive funds from the Region 2 Relief Fund must provide a report with the R2 Executive Committee detailing for the use of such funds. The conference set aside an initial 5,000 USD for the fund.

In February of this year, Chile suffered a severe earthquake which registered 8.8 on the Richter scale. The headquarters station for the Chilean member-society, Radio Club de Chile, suffered major damage to its building and its antenna system. RCCH asked the R2 EC for monetary assistance from the R2 Relief Fund and the R2 EC agreed to assist the society with funds to help repair its HQ building and antenna system.

This is an excellent example of the IARU stepping in to help one of its member-societies in a time of need.

If your national society would like to assist the RCCH with a donation, please contact the Region 2 Secretary, Ramon Santoyo XE1KK at xe1kk@​iaru.​org.

Also available in Español (Spanish).