Guest Post

Andy Edwards at the Refugee Services at the British Red Cross explains how the International Tracing service works:

The London Refugee & International Tracing Service assists vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in times of crisis with support and advice and links together families and loved ones. The Refugee Support Service provides advocacy and advice, helping asylum seekers and new refugees get legal representation, hostel places, medical care, NASS support and benefits payments. It is one of the principle agencies in London for destitute asylum seekers, supplying food vouchers and essential clothing and toiletries to these clients. The International Tracing and Message Service assists in tracing separated family members and relaying family messages where normal lines of communication (eg postal services) have broken down as a result of conflict, political upheaval, natural disaster or migration. Many ITMS service users are refugees and asylum seekers (including unaccompanied minors) who wish to initiate tracing enquiries to find parents, siblings, children, etc. They will be without news of their loved ones and their loss may be a recent one or may have occurred many years ago, for example due to World War II.