Press Release
European database reconnects loved ones
28 February 2008
Families separated while escaping conflict and disaster could be within a mouse-click of finding each other with the launch of a European Red Cross tracing database.
Linking up the international tracing and message services (ITMS) of National Red Cross societies across the continent, the computer-based European Tracing Database, which goes online on 29 February, can slash the time it takes to reconnect separated families.
"In the confusion of fleeing conflicts and disasters, it’s very easy for family members to become separated and end up in different countries with no means of knowing where their loved ones are," explained Kevin Studds, head of British Red Cross ITMS.
"With this new system we can search across Europe and if a match comes up people can be put in contact extremely quickly, potentially even the same day.
"This cuts through a lot of paperwork and speeds up a process which can traditionally take months or even years.
"Most importantly it will bring more families together as quickly as possible, ending the anxiety and trauma caused by separation."
A similar UK-wide database, in place for almost a decade, has already proved the effectiveness of this kind of system.
By applying the facility across Europe more people will be able to be put back in touch with their loved ones.
Mike Kilonda came to the UK with his young son when he fled fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo, becoming separated from his pregnant wife in the process.
Aware that Red Cross tracing is able to locate people around the world, not just in the UK and Europe, Mike approached the British Red Cross to try and re-establish contact with his wife.
"After I gave the tracing service mine and my wife's details they cross referenced for matches on their database," said Mike.
“It was amazing - they found that my wife had also come to the UK and was looking for me through the Red Cross too.
"We made contact by phone, arranged to meet as soon as possible and I was able to meet my new son for the first time. We were overjoyed.
"I am so grateful to the Red Cross for reuniting my family, the new European tracing database is great news and means there will be more stories with happy endings like my family's."
Aware of the need for confidentiality for those who may have suffered extreme persecution, the Red Cross does not share the tracing database with any other organisations.
According to Amina Hussein, a British Red Cross ITMS caseworker, the system can only be accessed by caseworkers of European Red Cross Societies, who search on behalf of individual enquirers.
"Only the details of enquirers themselves are stored on the system and a match will be made if two or more people are looking for each other," she said.
"If, for whatever reason, enquirers decide they don’t actually want to be put in touch with someone, we will not pass on any contact details or information.
"It is an extremely effective, confidential and safe way for people to be put back in touch with their families."
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