The GRC Tracing Service reconnects separated relatives

The GRC Tracing Service enables the exchange of messages between relatives who have lost contact to each other and cannot communicate using conventional means.

The GRC Tracing Service arranges contact by letter or via (video) phone call between people in Germany and their relatives who are in places that are difficult to reach. These may be family members in refugee camps or prisoners in war or conflict regions. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has a special humanitarian mandate to facilitate these contacts.

Who we can help

Are you yourself unable to contact a member of your family because, for example, they are in a refugee camp or in a prison somewhere in the world? Then perhaps the GRC Tracing Service can help you.

Red Cross Messages

A Red Cross Message (RCM) is an unsealed letter containing exclusively family-related content. Political, military or discriminatory statements are not permitted in a Red Cross Message, given the neutrality of the Red Cross/Red Crescent. Would you like to send a Red Cross Message?

We use a special DIN A5 form for this purpose and forward the letter to the recipient via the International Tracing Service Network. During an armed conflict, Red Cross Messages can also be sent across borders and lines of conflict. People other than the person addressed may also read the Red Cross Message.

Our ability to deliver Red Cross Messages around the world depends greatly on your information about the family member you are seeking contact with, as well as the specific circumstances and safety situation in that country.

To facilitate family contacts, the GRC Tracing Service also arranges (video) phone calls between family members, in particular to prisoners held throughout the world. Read here for more background information.»

Contact

Would you like to send a Red Cross Message? The best way to contact us is via our online form. Please enter details of the person you wish to contact here. The details in the fields marked with an * are mandatory in order to determine whether we can help you. Please also be sure to provide us with your contact details so that we can get in touch with you. You can find our contact form here.

Further contact:
German Red Cross
Headquarters
Carstennstraße 58
12205 Berlin

Telefon: +49 (0)30 / 8 54 04 -300
E-Mail: tracing(at)drk-suchdienst.de