Restoring Family Links (RFL)

Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) provides Restoring Family Links (RFL) services as part of the Global International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent network, working to address the uncertainty faced by families separated by armed conflicts, disasters, and migration. With support from partners including ICRC and IFRC, these vital services prevent family separation, restore contact between loved ones, locate missing persons, clarify the fate of those reported missing, and support vulnerable individuals affected by humanitarian crises and displacement.

The main focus of the RFL services is:

Disaster-affected communities
Refugees and migrants
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable individuals

Currently, the main provinces that ZRCS is offering RFL activities are Northwestern (Meheba Refugee Settlement) and in Luapula Province (Mantapala Refugee Settlement) and Lusaka (at Makeni Transit Centre). ZRCS has continued to build capacity in conducting RFL services.

RFL Services

Red Cross Messages: Secure, neutral communication to restore contact between separated families.
Tracing Services: Support to search for missing family members through case documentation and cross-border networks
Family Reunification: Specialized assistance for vulnerable minors and long-term separation cases
Psychological Support: Trauma-informed care and referrals to protection agencies
Digital Solutions: Trace the Face: Browse photos of adults searching for family. Free Wi-Fi/Charging: 30-minute internet access or phone charging that is at Mantapala/Meheba Refugee Settlements.
RFL Phone Calls: Free 3-minute national/international calls to reconnect families

Structure of RFL services

Correspondence address: All RFL correspondence and cases must be addressed to the Zambia Red Cross Society Headquarters using the contact details indicated above.

Email messages must be sent directly to the ZRCS RFL mailbox rfl.zambia@redcross.org.zm