Agreement for Bilateral Cooperation Between MDA and American Red Cross
(November 18, 2002)
On November 18, 2002, leaders of Magen
David Adom (MDA) in Israel, MDA chairman Yochanan Gur, and American
Red Cross Chairman David McLaughlin signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) at MDA headquarters in Tel Aviv. The mission is part of a movement
to discuss humanitarian issues in the Middle East with all leaders of
International Red Cross counterparts, including the Palestine Red Crescent
and the Jordan Red Crescent Society.
The MOU focuses on collaboration in the area of emergency
preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack, including attacks from weapons of mass destruction. Other areas
of collaberation include international tracing and family reunification,
biomedical services, organizational development and international humanitarian
law disseminaton.
"The American Red Cross and Magen David Adom have
developed a tradition for knowledge exchange that has resulted in improved
service to our respective populations," McLaughlin said. "We've
enjoyed a strong relationship of mutual asistance and will continue
to learn from thsi collaborative approach."
The American Red Cross has considered MDA's admission
into the International Red Cross a policy priority for more than 25
years, and has passed multiple resolutions in support of MDA membership.
Since 2002, the American Red Cross has withheld dues to the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Soceities to protest its refusal
to admit MDA.
McLaughlin also signed an MOU on November 16, 2002,
with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The two organizations
hope to cooperate on issues concerning primary helath care programs,
emergency response and disaster preparedness.
Sources: American
Red Cross |