In Kharkiv, a meeting with the families of missing persons was held with the participation of the Ukrainian Red Cross

The event, organised by our partners from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, was attended by specialists in restoring family links and members of the mental health and psychosocial support team. Among the invited guests were representatives of government agencies, including the National Police of Ukraine, the Eastern Coordination Headquarters, a representative of the Commissioner for Missing Persons in Special Circumstances, a forensic expert, and a representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights.

The first part of the session was informative. It featured a presentation on the activities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Ukraine and speeches by representatives of government agencies involved in the search process. They discussed the standards for identifying deceased bodies and conducting DNA testing.

The Tracing Service team worked with representatives from 28 families of missing persons and prisoners of war who had opened a search case with the Ukrainian Red Cross Tracing Service. The families received consultations and answers to important questions. A survey was conducted to assess the participants’ needs, which will be included in the humanitarian support provided by the Kharkiv regional branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross.

The meeting was held in a supportive atmosphere. The families received answers to all their questions, giving them a clear understanding of the steps in the search process and helping them navigate difficult circumstances.