The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) helps people restore and maintain contact with their families and supports people whose humanitarian needs arise when disasters, climate-related events and other emergencies require them to move from their homes.

Restoring Family Links and People Movement are presented as one connected area of work under the MRCS Restoring Family Links Department. The focus is on people, families and communities: preventing separation where possible, reconnecting relatives, identifying urgent needs and helping people access appropriate humanitarian support.

MRCS acts in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Assistance and referrals are guided by assessed needs and vulnerabilities, without discrimination, and with respect for safety, dignity, confidentiality and informed consent.

A Humanitarian Approach to People Movement

MRCS uses the term People Movement for situations in which people leave, evacuate from, relocate from or are temporarily unable to return to their homes. Movement may be short- or long-term and may take place within a community, between different parts of the country or across borders.

People may move because of sudden disasters such as floods, cyclones and earthquakes, or because of slow-onset pressures such as drought, extreme heat, environmental degradation, the effects of climate change and loss of livelihoods. Health emergencies and other crises may also require families to move or may disrupt normal travel and communication.

MRCS does not encourage or discourage any decision to move. Its role is strictly humanitarian: to reduce suffering, help people stay safe and connected, and respond to needs before, during and after movement.

How Families Become Separated

During evacuation or sudden movement, family members may take different routes, lose access to phones or electricity, be admitted to health facilities, stay in different temporary locations or be unable to share news. Children, older people, persons with disabilities and people who need additional support may face a greater risk of separation or difficulty re-establishing contact.

Loss of contact can cause fear, distress and uncertainty. Restoring communication as early as possible helps protect well-being, supports informed family decisions and can reduce further risks.

Restoring Family Links Services

Through trained staff and volunteers and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Family Links Network, MRCS may provide or facilitate the following services, depending on the circumstances:

• Safe and Well phone calls: helping separated family members make brief contact when communication services are available;
• Safe and Well Messages: sharing simple confirmation that a person is safe and passing family news;
• Red Cross Messages: exchanging personal or family news when direct communication is not possible;
• Tracing and Anxious for News enquiries: receiving requests and helping clarify the whereabouts of relatives when appropriate information and tracing channels are available;
• Family reunification support and referrals: helping reconnect family members where this is safe, appropriate and feasible, or referring them to relevant services; and
• Support for people with specific needs: protection-sensitive support and referrals for unaccompanied or separated children and others who may face heightened risks.

Each request is considered individually. Service availability and outcomes depend on the situation, safety, access, reliable information, cooperation with relevant partners and MRCS capacity. A successful tracing or reunification result cannot be guaranteed.

Supporting People Affected by Movement

People who move may face immediate needs as well as longer-term challenges. These can include loss of family contact, limited information, lack of essential items or services, emotional distress and difficulty rebuilding daily life. Families who remain behind and communities hosting people who have moved may also be affected.

Depending on assessed needs, operational capacity and available services, MRCS may provide support directly or connect people with other MRCS departments, public services, Red Cross and Red Crescent partners and appropriate humanitarian organizations. Support and referrals may include:

• Family contact and information: RFL services, practical information, help desks and referral information;
• Health and well-being: first aid, emergency health, mental health and psychosocial support, or referral to available care;
• Essential assistance: links to available water, sanitation and hygiene services, emergency shelter, household items, cash support or livelihood assistance;
• Protection and inclusion: safe and confidential referrals and attention to age, gender, disability and other factors that may affect access or safety; and
• Community support: engagement with affected and host communities, fair access to information and services, and feedback channels that help improve the response.

Preparedness for People Movement Related to Disasters, Crises and Climate Change

MRCS works to reduce the risk of family separation and the humanitarian impact of movement before emergencies occur. Preparedness actions may include:

• Family preparedness: encouraging households to agree on emergency contacts, meeting points and safe ways to share important information;
• Early warning and evacuation readiness: helping communities understand warnings, evacuation arrangements and the support available to people who may need assistance;
• Separation prevention: promoting practical measures to keep children, older people, persons with disabilities and caregivers together during evacuation and temporary accommodation;
• Operational readiness: integrating family links, safe registration, referral and data-protection considerations into contingency plans, simulations and emergency response arrangements; and
• Community resilience: working with relevant MRCS departments and partners to strengthen preparedness, climate adaptation, essential services and recovery support for affected and host communities.

Our Principles and Safeguards

• Needs-based support: assistance is guided by humanitarian needs and vulnerabilities, without discrimination;
• Do no harm: activities are designed to avoid increasing risks or exposing people to unnecessary attention;
• Consent and confidentiality: personal information is collected and shared only for a clear humanitarian purpose, with informed consent and appropriate data protection;
• Safety and dignity: people are treated with respect and supported to make informed decisions about their own situation;
• Participation and accountability: affected people and communities are listened to, informed about available support and able to provide feedback; and
• Neutral humanitarian action: MRCS focuses on reducing suffering and does not influence whether people decide to move, stay or return.

Working Through the Family Links Network

MRCS is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Family Links Network. This network connects National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross and can support the exchange of family news and tracing efforts within Myanmar and across borders when appropriate and possible.

MRCS also coordinates with its branches, relevant departments, communities and humanitarian partners so that people affected by movement can be connected with available services while family links needs are addressed in a safe and coordinated way.