The unfolding of disaster and war can often result in the forced separation of family members. Programs in this field aim to trace/locate and reunify family members with one another. The importance is deemed paramount, and in situations of armed conflict IHL names family reunification a right under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Easier said than done, family reunification can involve complicated verification and cross-border procedures, and sadly must also include efforts to clarify the fate of those missing.
Photo: ICRC/Waudo, R.
The ICRC Restoring Family Links program aims to prevent separation and disappearance, looks for missing persons, restores and maintains contact between family members, and clarifies the fate of persons reported missing
Carries out family tracing and reunification programs
UN specialized agency carrying out programs on family tracing and reunification
Open-source software for managing family tracing and reunification, as well as case management and incident monitoring
Toolkit designed to facilitate inter-agency planning and implementation of alternative care and related services for children separated from or unable to live with their families during and after an emergency
Handbook consisting of good practices and lessons learnt of the Save the Children Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) program in South Sudan
Guiding principles aiming at preventing separations, enhancing family tracing and reunification, as well as interim care and long-term solutions for unaccompanied and separated children
Technical guidance supporting the implementation of the Inter-agency Guiding Principles on Unaccompanied and Separated Children, and strengthening capacity building in programming for unaccompanied and separated children
Global, inter-agency resource designed to assist in the planning and implementation of effective programs to reunite separated children with their families
16-20 September: Entebbe
7-11 October: Geneva
10-14 November: Amman/Dead Sea