Restoring family links

In this video you will see a meeting being held by volunteers from the Italian Red Cross on the Italian island of Sicily. The meeting is led by Santa Sicali from the Italian Red Cross. It is also attended by Agata Ingala, the legally appointed guardian of the child whose case is being discussed.

This is a meeting to capture updates from different team members on the progress of restoring family links for an unaccompanied child. You will note that for protection reasons, the identity of the child is not mentioned during the meeting. This was a small child who lost his mother due to an accident at sea. You met the foster parents of this child in Week 4 of the course. The Italian Red Cross have already been able to reunite the child with his brother from whom he was also separated at sea. You will hear how the results of a DNA test has verified the identity of their father.

Children are separated from their families for many different reasons including conflicts, disasters and migration. The ICRC and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies work together around the world to restore links between unaccompanied and separated children and their families. This work includes looking for family members, restoring contact, reuniting families and seeking to clarify what has happened to those who remain missing. You can find out more about the process by clicking on this link.