In September, a representative from the Ukrainian Red Cross Tracing Service visited the International Family Tracing Service of the British Red Cross, a partner within the Restoring Family Links programme, to share their experience

This visit is important for gaining an in-depth understanding of the activities involved in restoring family links within partner organisations, as well as for fostering further effective cooperation between the Tracing Services of the Ukrainian and British Red Crosses.

In the UK, the team’s main activities focus on restoring family links for refugees who have lost contact with their relatives due to migration from Asia and Africa. The British Red Cross Tracing Service has 88 volunteers working across eight regions in the country. Most of the volunteers are refugees themselves, who, through their own experiences, understand the challenges migrants face in a foreign country.

Unlike their colleagues, Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers face the additional challenges of addressing the needs of people affected by the war in Ukraine while restoring family links. Currently, 19 volunteers are working across 18 regions. The work of the Tracing Service in Ukraine places significant psychological and emotional stress on the team members. The personal qualities and resilience of the volunteers enable them not only to perform their tasks efficiently but also to provide support to the families of missing persons and prisoners of war throughout the search process.

During the discussions and meetings, we shared with our colleagues the unique experiences of these very different, yet equally important, activities carried out by the Ukrainian and British Red Crosses to help people who have lost family links. Together with key partners, we plan to further implement effective practices in this area. In addition, thanks to the methodological support of the British Red Cross Tracing Service, we are better equipped to assist those who have lost contact with their relatives.