Previous Story
Red Cross helps reconnect loved ones separated by wars, disasters
|
Posted on Jan 06 2012
By Clarissa David
Reporter
Reporter
The American Red Cross – NMI Chapter provides through its extensive network a service that helps community members reconnect with their loved ones who are separated from them due to wars and natural disasters.
Restoring Family Links helps families locate missing loved ones through Red Cross partners, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Red Crescent organizations throughout the world.
The program also provides services that reconnect Holocaust survivors and their families.
NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh said that individuals who are requesting for this assistance are asked to fill out the Disaster Tracing Inquiry form, which contains pertinent information about the person to be traced and the requestor.
Hirsh noted that there are areas where this service is not accessible since they do not have the capacity to do so.
“This is a lot of hard work to be looking for people. You need to have a lot of boots on the ground, you have to have a lot of people, and a lot of infrastructure. Only the bigger Red Cross societies around the world can do this kind of thing, particularly during disasters,” he told Saipan Tribune.
Hirsh said providing this service has become easier given the improvements in technology through the years.
For more information about Restoring Family Links, go to www.redcross.org/international or call the NMI-chapter at 234-3459.
