With conflict and turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa and yesterday's earthquake in New Zealand, people in Metro Detroit may be living in fear and uncertainty after having lost contact with family members in affected areas.

The American Red Cross, as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, has the ability to reconnect families around the world that have lost contact due to armed conflict or natural disasters.

American Red Cross "Restoring Family Links" services are provided for free as part of the Red Cross's international humanitarian mission. They are available when:
Families have been separated as a result of either armed conflict or disaster.
As much as possible, families should have tried normal channels of communication before requesting Red Cross tracing services.
The family member making the inquiry provides essential information on the sought person.
The family member making the inquiry is a close family relative, who has been in direct contact with the sought person before the conflict or disaster occurred.
American Red Cross staff and volunteers will work with their counterparts in the affected country to track down and reconnect family members. At times, the message can be as simple as "I am alive."

People in Metro Detroit who have lost contact with a close relative should call the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Region Chapter at (800) 774-6066. Click here for more information.

The American Red Cross cannot accept requests when there is insufficient information to conduct a search; or when it is for genealogical research; or tracing regarding legal matters such as wills, child custody etc.; or the tracing of birth parents or third party requests.