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News Indonesia: families reunited after severe earthquakes 3-10-2009 News release 2-10-2009 News release Section Restoring contact between families separated by armed conflicts and natural disasters What to do if you are looking for a missing relative? Every year, armed conflicts, other situations of violence and natural disasters leave countless people seeking news of family members. 
Looking for a missing relative?
Restoring family links means carrying out, in those situations, a range of activities that aim to prevent separation and disappearance, restore and maintain contact between family members, and clarify the fate of persons reported missing. It involves collecting information about persons who are missing, persons who have died, and vulnerable persons such as children separated from their families and persons deprived of their freedom. It also involves tracing persons unaccounted for, organizing the exchange of family news and the transmission of documents when normal means of communication have broken down, organizing family reunifications and repatriations, and issuing travel documents and attestations.
These activities are carried out by the worldwide Family Links Network constituted by the ICRC and the tracing services of the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.  Key document29-10-2009 The International Tracing Service and the ICRCSince 1955 the ICRC manages the International Tracing Service (ITS) in Bad Arolsen which traces Nazi victims and their families. The ITS documents their fate and makes its archives available for research. (About the ICRC\History\Second World War) Includes Photo 28-5-2009 A ten-year strategy to strengthen the restoration of family linksWar, disasters and migration split up many thousands of families. The suffering created by such situations is not always visible to others. This global problem is mostly a silent tragedy. Olivier Dubois, deputy head of the Central Tracing Agency and Protection Division of the ICRC, discusses assistance given to family members separated by such events. (ICRC Activities\Protection\Restoring family links) Interview Includes Photo 10-1-2008 Restoring family linksCouncil of delegates of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Geneva, 23-24 November 2007 (Focus\RC Movement\Council of Delegates\2007) Includes PDF Annual Report27-5-2009 Central tracing agency and protection: extract from ICRC Annual Report 2008The Central Tracing Agency and Protection Division provides strategic support and professional expertise to field operations in three areas of activity – protection of the civilian population, protection of people deprived of their freedom and restoring family links; the latter also covers activities relating to missing persons and their families. (ICRC Activities\Protection) Annual Report Feature29-5-2009 Democratic Republic of the Congo: 'Mama Africa', mother of 158  For 15 years, Mama Bona has taken care of children separated from their families as a result of conflicts the country has gone through. When she cannot find a family to host unaccompanied children and orphans, they are welcome to stay at her house. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa) Feature Includes Photo 12-5-2009 Rwanda: a young girl and her grandmother find each other at lastAfter more than 10 years of a long and painful separation from her parents because of war, a young girl found her grandmother, thanks to an ICRC radio announcement. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Rwanda) Feature Includes Photo 20-2-2009 Sudan: Congolese children take refuge in Southern SudanNot so long ago civilians fled conflict in Southern Sudan, finding refuge in other countries. The shoe is on the other foot, as the region takes in refugees. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Sudan) Feature Includes Photo 26-9-2008 Georgia: portraits from TbilisiThe elderly are amongst the greatest casualties of the recent war in Georgia and South Ossetia, particularly because of the manner in which it has changed their lives irrevocably. The ICRC’s Jessica Barry has been talking to some of them. (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Georgia) Feature Includes Photo 12-9-2008 Ethiopia: together againThe border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia that ended in 2000 after two years of bloody confrontation has left many scars among the civilian population. Eight years later, some families with mixed nationalities are still facing a particularly difficult situation. The ICRC’s Natalie Klein-Kelly and Patrick Mégevand report. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Ethiopia) Feature Includes Photo 1-9-2008 Guatemala: a young man’s search for his identityAccording to the report published by the Historical Clarification Commission, around 5,000 children became separated from their families during the internal armed conflict in Guatemala. Sebastián Max was one of them. After 28 long years, he has finally learned his true identity. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Guatemala) Feature Includes Photo 9-6-2008 Zimbabwe: a long journey of hope to reunionWhen the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo spread to the village of Uvira in South Kivu Province, people fled in fear for their lives. Many were separated from their families. Some, like Domina, undertook arduous journeys to ICRC-supported refugee camps such as Tongogara in neighbouring Zimbabwe. The ICRC's Mabel Sithole reports. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Zimbabwe) Feature Includes Photo 5-6-2008 Myanmar: cyclone families ‘safe and well’Restoring family links is an important part of the Myanmar Red Cross Society’s response to the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis. The ICRC’s technical expertise in this field is helping to strengthen the National Society’s effectiveness in reuniting family members. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Myanmar) Feature Includes Photo 5-6-2008 Civilians' plight : Testimonies of victims of Sri Lanka's 25-year conflictAlmost three decades of armed conflict in Sri Lanka have had wide-ranging humanitarian consequences for the population. The ICRC works to improve the situation of affected populations, including separated families and the internally displaced, the wounded, the sick and the detained. Claudia McGoldrick heard some of their stories. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Feature Includes Photo 26-5-2008 Israel/Gaza: 23 years' solitary for a detainee's wifeTahani is one of hundreds of Palestinian wives whose husbands are held in Israeli prisons. For the past 23 years, she has had to raise their six children alone. In June 2007, the Israeli authorities suspended all family visits; she is desperate to see him once again. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Israel) Feature 15-5-2008 Argentina: restoring family links during armed conflict and violenceFor almost thirty years, Irene Quaglia has been responsible for tracing activities at the ICRC’s Buenos Aires delegation. This has involved her in two dramatic periods of Argentine history: the violence of the 1970s and the Falklands/Malvinas. In this article, she shares her memories with us. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Argentina) Feature Includes Photo 2-5-2008 Afghanistan: video calls provide vital link to families of detaineesEarly in 2008, the ICRC and American authorities set up a system to enable individuals held at the US detention facility in Bagram to communicate with their families via video-teleconference calls. The ICRC's tracing field officer in Kabul, Haji Abu Sayed, tells the story of Janan, a nomadic herdsman who travelled long and far to see his son. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Feature Includes Photo 25-4-2008 Tunisia: a Guantanamo internee and his family exchange news by phone for the first timeWednesday 27 February, 3.00 p.m., in the family home of Guantanamo internee Ahmed (fictitious name). Four pairs of eyes focus anxiously on the cellular phone which Ralph Wehbe, ICRC delegate in Tunis, has brought. In a few minutes, Ahmed's father, brother and two sisters will perhaps have a chance to speak to the young man they haven't seen for many long years for the first time. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Tunisia) Feature 12-3-2008 Sierra Leone: home at lastSierra Leone's internal conflict between the Revolutionary United Front and government forces ended in 2002. Countless families were split up by the fighting and many are still trying to trace their loved ones six years on. The ICRC's Abu Bakr Gamanga reports. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Sierra Leone) Feature Includes Photo 18-2-2008 Chad: Waiting for news from N’DjamenaAs the inhabitants of N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, go about rebuilding their lives, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Red Cross of Chad are striving to respond to the emotional needs of families split up by violence. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Chad) Feature Includes Photo 18-2-2008 Three orphans return to family in the Democratic Republic of the CongoIn July 2007 two nuns appeared at the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Brazzaville to request that the organization repatriate three young orphans to Zongo, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The story of a journey filled with apprehension and joy, by Valery Mbaoh and Latif M’Backe. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Brazzaville) Feature Includes Photo ICRC film3-5-2006 Angola: the scars of conflictFour years after the civil war in Angola ended, thousands of children are still separated from their families. 13 year old Teresa has had to look after her younger brothers and sister since their parents were killed in the conflict. The Red Cross has managed to locate their uncle who has agreed to take them in, and the children set out to meet their new family. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video 16-12-2004 Where are they now?
Restoring and maintaining family links: the worldwide network of the ICRC and the Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies Uncertainty over the fate of a loved one causes untold suffering in wartime. This film captures how the ICRC Central Tracing Agency, together with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies all over the world, works to alleviate this suffering. It illustrates the different means and methods used in the essential efforts to trace family members and to restore family links. From distributing Red Cross messages and organizing family reunifications to visiting persons deprived of their freedom, the work undertaken brings welcome news and relief to thousands of people every year. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Protection) ICRC film Includes Video ICRC Publication26-3-2009 Restoring family links, including legal referencesThis brochure contains the Restoring Family Links (RFL) Strategy of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and implementation plan (2008-2018) as adopted by Resolution 4 of the 2007 Council of Delegates. Also included is a selection of relevant legal references. The aim of the 10-year strategy is to improve the services provided by the Movement's Family Links Network in meeting the needs of people separated from their families. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 20-3-2009 Newsletter: Family Links NetworkThis newsletter is an update on the work being done to improve the services provided by the Restoring Family Links network for people separated from, or without news of, their family members. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 19-3-2009 Restoring family links, presenting the strategy for a worldwide networkEach year, hundreds of thousands of people are separated from their loved ones as a result of war, disasters, migration or other circumstances. This leaflet summarizes the work being done by the Family Links Network of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to meet the needs of those separated. It also presents the actions defined by the 10-year RFL Strategy to improve services, cooperation and support for the restoration of family links. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 29-8-2007 Missing Persons - A hidden tragedyPeople have gone missing as long as men have been fighting wars. The plight of people missing in armed conflict and the suffering of their families has been a consistent concern to the ICRC. This specially commissioned report, written by an independent journalist, turns the spotlight onto the plight of missing persons and their families. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 28-8-2006 The Missing: ICRC progress reportIn 2002, the ICRC began looking at ways of better assisting people missing as a result of armed conflict or internal violence, and their relatives. Following an International Conference of Governmental and Non-Governmental Experts (held in 2003), the Agenda for Humanitarian Action was adopted, which sets out clear objectives for the States and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to achieve between 2004 and 2007. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 26-3-2004 Inter-agency guiding principles on unaccompanied and separated childrenThis set of comprehensive guidelines outlines a framework and set of principles intended to ensure that the rights and needs of separated children are effectively addressed. Created through close inter-agency collaboration, the guidelines aim to promote and support preparedness, coordination and good practice based on lessons learnt. The document addresses all aspect of an emergency from preventing separations, to family tracing and reunification through to long-term solutions and encourages the pooling of complementary skills and expertise. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 31-12-2002 Waiting for newsWhen war breaks out families are torn apart, populations can be displaced or forced into exile, children become separated from their parents, and soldiers are wounded, taken prisoner, reported missing or killed in action. The ICRC and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies work, often together with other humanitarian agencies, to alleviate the human suffering arising from these situations - in addition to other aid, this can include distributing Red Cross messages, organizing family reunifications, issuing temporary travel documents and capture cards and visiting persons deprived of their freedom.
(Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC publication Includes PDF 31-12-2001 Restoring family links: a guide for National Red Cross and Red Crescent SocietiesIntended for National Societies, this guide promotes a common approach of the Movement to restoring family links broken by conflict, natural disaster or other humanitarian crises. It includes advice on refining tracing tools, including new technologies, and describes the legal basis for tracing work. It aims to improve skills to respond to the growing worldwide demand for such services. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC publication International Review of the Red Cross30-9-2008 ICRC Protection PolicyThis policy document begins by defining key notions and describing the framework for action. It then outlines the principles of the ICRC’s protection framework, as well as the operational guidelines based on that framework. The document concludes by describing different types of ICRC protection activity and outlining specific considerations related to the various categories of beneficiary. (Info resources\International Review\2008 - No. 871) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF Interview25-8-2009 Former Guantanamo inmate Sami Elhaj explains why ICRC visits were important to himSami Elhaj, a journalist from Al Jazeera Arabic TV, who was detained at the US facility in Guantanamo for almost six years, explains how the ICRC's visits made a difference during this period, and remembers the first time he received news from his loved ones. (ICRC Activities\Protection\Detention) Interview 30-1-2009 Sri Lanka: helping families keep in touch across the front lineThe conflict in northern Sri Lanka has affected some 200,000 civilians in the Vanni. The majority have fled their homes, while others are at risk of displacement in this volatile situation. Many have not been able to talk to their families in recent days and weeks. Monica Zanarelli, the ICRC’s deputy head of operations for South Asia, explains the organization's efforts to re-establish family links in an extremely volatile situation. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Interview Includes Photo 27-8-2007 The Missing: preventing disappearances and finding answersOn the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared on 30 August, Renée Zellweger Monin, head of the ICRC's Task Force on the Missing, talks about how the organization is working to prevent disappearances and bring news to the long-suffering families of the missing. (Focus\Missing persons) Interview Includes Photo Official Statement6-2-2007 Ending enforced disappearances: a matter of urgency for the sake of humanity and justiceSpeech by Mr. Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC, Official ceremony to mark the opening for signature of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, Paris - 6 February 2007 (Humanitarian law\Missing persons) Official Statement Photo Collection17-9-2009 Iraq: families make their final visits to relatives detained in Bucca For families who used to visit their relatives detained in Bucca, southern Iraq, the journey was always long, perilous and costly, but well worth it. Since October 2005, the ICRC had helped make the journey possible, not least by covering part of the costs. In September 2009, with the American facility at Camp Bucca set to close down, the ICRC ended its family-visit allowance programme. During the four years that the programme ran, almost 30,000 detained people received 146,000 visits from their relatives with ICRC support. (Info resources\Photos\Middle East and North Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo 18-6-2009 Democratic Republic of the Congo: families torn apart by the conflict never lose hope  As part of its mandate, the ICRC works to reunite family members separated by conflict. In North Kivu, as in most war-torn areas, this often involves registering unaccompanied children and advising distraught parents. (Info resources\Photos\Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo 27-11-2008 Selection of photos 2008Photos illustrating ICRC activities around the world in 2008. The media is welcome to use these images, which can be downloaded at high resolution. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo 29-4-2008 From the tragedy of separation to the joy of being reunited The suffering of families without news of what has happened to a relative is one of the cruellest consequences of war and disaster. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's global network seeks to restore and maintain links between separated family members and to establish the fate of missing persons. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo Press article29-4-2008 The Missing: a hidden tragedyUncertainty about the fate of their loved ones is a harsh reality for countless families of people unaccounted for as a result of armed conflict or internal violence. Much remains to be done to address this pressing humanitarian issue and to help families cope with the trauma - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 1, 2008. (Focus\Missing persons) Press article Report30-6-2009 Families of missing persons in Nepal: a study of their needsThe present report sums up the findings of extensive research on the needs of families of missing persons in Nepal. It has been carried out by an external consultant familiar with the matter and the particular context of Nepal, under contract to the ICRC. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Nepal) Report Includes PDF Video Collection12-6-2008 Video phone calls for Bagram prisoners and their relativesPrisoners in Bagram Airbase, Aghanistan, are now able to talk to relatives they have not seen for months and even years. A video phone link, set up by the ICRC and the United States authorities, allows families to see and talk to their loved ones for 20 minutes at a time. According to Graziella Leite Piccolo, from the ICRC's Kabul office, it can be an emotional experience for both sides. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video 6-12-2007 Family affairs: a journey home for Burundi's childrenWith the help of the ICRC, four children in the Lukolé refugee camps prepare to leave Tanzania to return to their families in Burundi. The organization has been active in this camp since 1994 and reunites people across borders under three conditions: the unaccompanied children must give their consent, families are ready to welcome them and security conditions are sufficient to safely resume their past lives - contains links to Kiswahili and Kirundi versions (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video More in this section28-9-2009 Tracing offices of recognized Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies(About the ICRC\Contacts) 21-2-2008 What to do if you are looking for a relativeYou are anxious for news of a relative with whom you have lost contact due to an armed conflict, other situations of violence or a natural disaster. Postal service, telephone and other regular means of communication have broken down. (ICRC Activities\Protection\Restoring family links) Includes Photo 3-6-2005 The International Tracing Service – 50 years on The International Tracing Service came into being in its present form through the Bonn Agreements of 6 June 1955. It has the mammoth task of gathering, filing, preserving and processing the personal records of civilians who were persecuted under the Third Reich.
(About the ICRC\History\Second World War) 15-7-2002 History of the Central Tracing Agency of the ICRC(ICRC Activities\Protection\Restoring family links) Other site23-2-2005 International Tracing Service in ArolsenThe International Tracing Service at Bad Arolsen (ITS) serves victims of Nazi persecutions and their families by documenting their fate through the archives it manages. The ITS preserves these historic records and makes them available for research. (Info resources\Other sites\Red Cross and Red Crescent) Other site  |
