Reconnecting with family members who are outside Canada
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Every year armed conflicts, other situations of violence, migration and natural disasters leave countless people seeking news of family members. Sometimes loss of contact is due to illness, detention, or it may be sudden and unexplained.
Red Cross carries out a range of activities that aim to prevent separation and disappearance, restore and maintain contact between family members, and clarify the fate of persons reported missing.
Each year more than 1,000 people seek help from the Canadian Red Cross to re-establish contact with their family members. The Canadian Red Cross is part of a network of more than 185 National Societies.
How we help
When a loved one is missing
The Canadian Red Cross can help re-establish contact when you have lost contact with a loved one due to an armed conflict, other situations of violence or a natural disaster.
When traditional means of communications have been interrupted
When regular postal service or other means of communication are not available due to conflict, migration or a major disaster, the international Red Cross/Red Crescent network delivers Red Cross Messages.
When, for health reasons, contact is suddenly lost between family members
The Red Cross will attempt to obtain a health and welfare report on the condition of family members that are ill, elderly, or unable to communicate,.
Confirmation of detention
Certificates of detention may be available for past and present prisoners of war and civilian detainees from other conflicts who were visited and registered by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Assistance with the family reunification process
Official documents such as school records and birth certificates can be forwarded to minors, or family members in conflict areas through the ICRC network. The Canadian Red Cross can process an application for an ICRC Travel Document for a person in Canada without a valid passport or travel document who needs to travel for emigration purposes.
Information and referral
The Canadian Red Cross can provide referral to organizations in your community that offer services for newcomers to Canada. We can also provide referrals to agencies accepting cases that fall outside the Red Cross mandate.
You Make the Difference – Support Our Family Reunification Program
The Canadian Red Cross Restoring Family Links program helps people in Canada to re-establish contact with immediate family members after separation due to armed conflict, natural disaster, migration and other humanitarian crises. Please donate to the Canadian Red Cross Fund.
