Contact
Menu
Contact

Reinforcing Restoring Family Links (RFL) services and cooperation with the public authorities in responding to RFL needs in emergencies

Statutory Meetings / International Conference / Pledges / 33rd International Conference / Reinforcing Restoring Family Links (RFL) services and cooperation with the public authorities in responding to RFL needs in emergencies

A) Objectives of the pledge:

In order to help address the needs of separated families and families of missing persons, the components of the Movement must be able to rely on a strong global network and close cooperation with States. The pledge aims at reinforcing the strength of this network, partnerships between its members and the mutual support between them and the national authorities.

 

This pledge serves to translate specific elements of the 33rd International Conference resolution on “Restoring Family Links while respecting privacy including as it relates to personal data protection” and the related Restoring Family Links Strategy 2020-2025 into concrete actions.

 

Furthermore, this pledge also translates into concrete action specific elements of the 33rd International Conference resolution on “Disaster laws and policies that leave no one behind”. This pledge relates to disaster risk management as it sets mechanisms for effective cooperation between Portuguese authorities and the Portuguese Red Cross in the event of emergency, enhancing their preparedness for addressing the needs of displaced persons and for promoting access to services to restore family links for persons separated by disasters.

B) Action plan:

  • Portugal and the Portuguese Red Cross will continue to work together to ensure a clearly defined role of the Portuguese Red Cross, as auxiliary to public authorities in the humanitarian field, in the integration of Portugal’s disaster preparedness plans / disaster risk management laws and policies for the provision of Restoring Family Links (RFL) services in emergencies.

 

  • Portugal and the Portuguese Red Cross will explore the feasibility of collaboration and/or cooperation with the Consular Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the provision of RFL in the context or aftermath of emergencies outside the Portuguese territory.

 

  • The Portuguese Red Cross is granted access to places under Portuguese jurisdiction where people might be in need of the RFL services to assess these needs. The findings are discussed in official meetings with relevant governmental departments and public entities and action plans established for follow up.

C) Indicators for measuring progress:

  • Joint annual meetings are held between the relevant governmental departments and public entities and the Portuguese Red Cross.

 

  • Trainings and simulation exercises are conducted between the relevant actors to enhance preparedness in responding to RFL needs in emergencies.

D) Resource implications:

N/A

The International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, in its function as Trustee of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (the Conference), cannot be held responsible or liable in any manner for any user-generated content or posts on this Database. In the event that the Website team considers any post or content to be incompatible with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and/or with the objectives of the Conference, it reserves the right to remove such content.