Magen David Adom in Israel and The New Zealand Red Cross, both members of the International Red Cross, have purchased Iridium satellite communications equipment for use in relief efforts.
Both groups purchased Iridium 9505A handsets.
Magen David Adom will use the handsets for emergency back-up if the communications infrastructure is compromised in Israel or other remote locations where the organization is called to assist in rescue missions.
The New Zealand Red Cross, on the other hand, is distributing the majority of the handsets to various Red Cross National Societies in the Pacific, including Fiji, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga.