Restoring Family Links

RESTORING FAMILY LINKS

Ukraine/Russian Federation Conflict - Accepting Requests

The chaos and confusion that accompany war, disaster and international migration can separate families when they need each other most. When this happens, the Red Cross joins the search across international borders, offering a unique service that allows families to reconnect, called Restoring Family Links (RFL). To learn more, please see the attached factsheet and visit our website.  

 
Restoring Family Links inquiries may now be accepted for families in the United States who have lost contact with loved ones due to the Ukraine/Russian Federation conflict.

Please see information provided on the following site for information on our response: Devastation in Ukraine: How the Red Cross is Helping (Also in Spanish)

The capacity of the ICRC and Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) to actively trace missing persons, convey family news, and visit detainees is considerably limited due to the current situation. Please note that the ICRC or the URCS do not evacuate or facilitate the evacuations of affected people outside of Ukraine. We encourage the relatives of persons in need of evacuation to approach the relevant consular services.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN INQUIRY 

Inquiries will be accepted that meet the following criteria:

·         Sought (missing) persons believed to have been separated due to the conflict, and were in regular contact with their relatives in the United States before contact was lost. 

·         For family members ONLY (parents, siblings, children, spouses, fiancées, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or legal guardians) who are not U.S. citizens. 

·         Sought persons are close relatives who are not U.S. citizens.

Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 and http://www.usa.gov/directory/federal/overseas-citizens-services.html. 

*If the inquiry meets the criteria listed above, you can get help or find more information by emailing IntlServicesIL@redcross.org and/or calling the American Red Cross at 1-844-782-9441.