The Red Cross family message service is a way for families, separated by war and disaster, to keep in contact and to share family news. It is a free service.
The service is only available when war, internal disturbances and disasters result in the breakdown in the usual means of communication such as post and phone. In these anxious times, when families are no longer able to keep in contact, the Red Cross is there to forward some of the most important messages in the world.
Delivering the news
In areas of conflict or disaster, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or the Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society in that country will try to set up a way for families to exchange news. These communication channels are established as soon as possible, but it can take time. First steps will be to try and provide communication channels for the affected communities to allow them to exchange news with one another. Then, further assistance from the Red Cross, in the form Red Cross Messages, satellite phones or websites, can be used to transmit family news inside the country and abroad.
The Red Cross Message
The special Red Cross Message forms have space for a message and for the addresses of the sender and the receiver. The message is always unsealed to ensure safe passage in dangerous situations. The contents are restricted to personal and family news only. The neutrality of the ICRC allows these messages to be passed across borders and conflict frontlines. Therefore no military, political and discriminatory comments are allowed in Red Cross Messages, as this might jeopardise the whole family message service.
In the UK, families who want to send a message can approach their local Red Cross Branch, where Red Cross message forms are available. Thousands of messages also come in to the UK every year for people believed to be living here, and the British Red Cross goes out into local communities to deliver these messages.
The British Red Cross has recently delivered messages to and from:
Afghanistan, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Liberia, Mozambique, Russia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Turkey, Venezuela and Yugoslavia.
What information is required?
The more information provided, the easier it will be for the Red Cross to find the missing person. An enquirer will be given a form to complete, which will help the Red Cross to deal with the request. Names and addresses are of course crucial, especially if names have changed and been spelt differently, or if cover names and pseudonyms have been used. If possible, information on whereabouts during detention, places and periods of forced employment, together with family details should also be supplied.
All information is kept strictly confidential. Details will only be disclosed to third parties with the written consent of the person concerned.
What is the cost?
These Red Cross services are free.
How long does the work take?
The Red Cross will always work as quickly, efficiently and thoroughly as possible. The nature of the records and access to them do however mean that enquiries can take time. The Red Cross will however not stop working on an enquirer's behalf until all avenues have been exhausted. Should new or additional information be received long after the enquiry is made, the Red Cross will inform the enquirer without them needing to contact the Red Cross again.
Assistance on compensation claims
The British Red Cross can give advice on how to find out about possible entitlements to compensation, and may also be able to provide information on periods of detention.
Next steps
To trace family members please contact your nearest Red Cross branch. They will also be able to provide you with a special questionnaire, to be used should you wish the British Red Cross to make contact on your behalf with the International Tracing Service.
To find out more, go to the resources section where you will find over 50 organisations who may also be able to help. |
