In the Lviv region, the Ukrainian Red Cross Tracing Service met with families of missing persons
A meeting was held in the village of Solonka for families engaged in the long-term search for their missing loved ones. The event was initiated by the Lviv District State Administration, with the support of several partners, to provide participants with professional guidance and explore new approaches to tracing.
Around 40 participants, family members of missing persons, gathered at the local community centre. The event was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian Red Cross Tracing Service and the Lviv regional branch, alongside government and civil society actors. These included the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the National Police, the Territorial Recruitment Centre, social services, the Pension Fund, the Civilian Support Fund of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, local authorities, and representatives of the church.
Employees of the Ukrainian Red Cross Tracing Service provided information on how to file tracing requests, the specific challenges of searching during a full-scale war, and the mechanisms available to support and inform families seeking their missing loved ones. Special attention was given to the issue of local support for residents of the Lviv region.
During one-on-one conversations, participants received practical advice, hotline contacts, and information about local Red Cross branches, where regular social support events are held. For some, it was their first encounter with the Tracing Service; others had attended similar events before. However, all participants emphasised the importance of personal dialogue with representatives of various institutions and the opportunity to receive answers to deeply painful questions.
“For our team, this meeting is not just an event but another step towards strengthening our partnership. Only through joint efforts can we build a support system that truly helps those searching for their loved ones,” said Nina Dobrenka, a leading specialist of the Ukrainian Red Cross Tracing Service.
