During 2001-2002, the tracing service helped 1,623 individuals and families to re-establish contact with missing relatives. We also worked directly with over 75 National Societies and 20 ICRC delegations. A total of 678 cases were successfully resolved resuling in a 64% success rate for the service. In addition, over 1082 people used Red Cross messages to communicate with families in countries where postal services are no longer operating.

When war or other disasters strike a country, many people are cut off from their families because normal communications have broken down. Relatives may be taken prisoner-of-war or moved to refugee camps or shelters. In these circumstances the Red Cross Message Service is often the only means for families to keep in touch. Messages are restricted to family or personal matters, and must be written on a special Red Cross Message form. In 1999-2000 Australian Red Cross forwarded over 1600 Red Cross messages for dozens of countries around the world.

Accessing the Message Service

If you would like to send a Red Cross Message, or wish to find out more about any of the above services, please contact the Australian Red Cross office in your capital city.