Reference :
V-P-BR-E-00297
Date :
26/11/2014
Caption :
Brasilia. The ICRC regional delegation organized a seminar on Restoring Family Links (RFL). The participants attend to theoretical presentations, analyse real cases and then, put into practice the lessons learned during simulated activities. Precision, quantity and quality of the datas are crucial for RFL operations. Therefore, the participants are trained to fill the standard forms that support locate the missing person.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
"Creating networks to reestablish family links"
The Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay organized from 24 to 26 November in Brasilia, Brazil, the Regional Seminar on Restoring Family Links (RFL). Designed to attended the demands of focal points responsible for the program in their respective National Societies (NSs), the event offered to its 15 participants the possibility to discuss the RFL strategy as adopted by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The meeting also provided a framework on the organization and structures necessary for an appropriate response to RFL situations, in addition to an update of the available tools.
All these issues were discussed with practical examples, based on the experiences of each NS, ranging from natural or man-made disasters up to situations of deprivation of liberty, migration and asylum. By the end of the seminar, the participants performed a general simulation, where all the topics covered in the event were addressed.
According to ICRC’s RFL program responsible in the region, Laura Elise Pereira, one of the main achievements of the meeting was the commitment of the participants to draw up action plans detailing the RFL activities of each NS for 2015. One of the first steps to be completed is to conduct a needs assessment: those surveys will determine the responsiveness capacities of each NS, as well as the main factors that could cause RFL situations in each country.
"We will coordinate with the NS to design and implement those action plans over the next year, so that in 2016, when we plan to conduct another RFL regional seminar, the results are evaluated and new challenges established", said Laura. Today, the National Societies in the region are in different stages of preparedness and response, with Paraguay leading the process, on the final stages of the needs assessment.
For the national coordinator of the Chilean Red Cross RFL program, Valentina Mayorga, an important result of the seminar was the regional strengthening of the Family Links Network through direct contact between the focal points of each NS. "The relationship of support and friendship established with the other participants was essential to create links, enabling a continuous exchange of experiences and supporting the management of RCF programs," she said.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
4416x3312
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
