The 4096 licensed
amateurs in Puerto Rico and 204 hams in the US
Virgin Islands (as of 12/31/17, per AH0A.org) will all share the ARRL's 2018
International Humanitarian Award. According to the ARRL Letter, the League's board of directors made the unusual
decision based on the fact that the entire amateur populations of the U.S.
territories were "pressed into immediate before and during the devastating
storms" of the 2017 hurricane season, and noted that local hams "continue
to support relief and recovery efforts even now."
The board also recognized
the work of all amateurs involved in hurricane response efforts last year, in Texas and Florida as
well as the Caribbean, for their
"outstanding work and service."
