29 August 2023
August 30th, is International Day of the Disappeared. This day aims to draw attention to the many families separated around the world, whether because of armed conflict, natural disasters or international migration.
These tragic situations can lead to relatives losing contact with each other and no longer knowing about each other. Here comes our “Restoring Family Links” unit, designed to restore and maintain contact between members of separated families. Its crucial role extends to finding information about the fate of the missing ones.
The scope of the Red Cross’ work is not limited to national borders. In fact, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works closely with the national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world to ensure that all requests are processed and have a follow-up.
In response to the increasing number of disappearance cases, an online tool was specially developed in 2013: Trace the Face. This platform, in the form of a photo gallery, allows people to look for their loved ones, and to publish their pictures.
Thanks to Trace The Face, one family is reunited on average every week.