By: Gordon Williams, American Red Cross Volunteer

A heartbreaking consequence of war, political upheaval and natural disasters is the way families are torn apart. Parents, children, siblings and loved ones can find themselves trapped on opposite sides of international borders, often unable to reunite.

Thankfully, a little-known function of the American Red Cross called Restoring Family Links (RFL) works to unite families who have been pulled apart. The RFL team in the Northwest Region spent 2024 managing at least 58 cases—more than any other region in the Red Cross Pacific Division, which includes the Pacific Coast states and the Pacific Islands.

At the heart of RFL operations within the Red Cross Northwest Region is Candace Liggett, a volunteer lead who oversees the day-to-day efforts of the program. Liggett works closely with Regional Program Specialist Mariana Bellinger, who manages the program, to support the team of eight volunteers who provide a diverse workforce to tackle the complex and sensitive issues that arise. In total, the team speaks an impressive seven languages!

RFL functions under the International Services program, which also handles such topics as the rules of international war. The volunteers who serve on RFL teams work to reconnect families separated internationally by war, disaster, migration and other humanitarian emergencies.

Complex political and military situations, like trying to bring together officials from Russia and Ukraine to negotiate the reunification of family members who fled the war zone, or tracking down loved ones lost in Sudan’s civil war, can make progress complicated and drawn out. For some families, years go by before they hear news about their loved ones.

Refugee cases are notoriously complicated, says Liggett. “They can take a long time to resolve.”

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS An RFL search begins when someone contacts the Red Cross and fills out an inquiry form. The Red Cross can be contacted through a Help Line at 844-752-9441.

Once the case is opened, volunteers with the Red Cross begin the process of searching for the missing person. They will contact government authorities, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Red Cross partners, and international non-government organizations to attempt to locate loved ones who may be stranded at an international border, trapped, imprisoned or displaced due to conflict, disaster or migration.

Each case is unique, presenting its own set of challenges. For example, Liggett says Red Cross volunteers have worked with spouses of captured soldiers seeking health and wellness updates, as well as mothers separated from their children at borders while fleeing conflict, trying to reunite. They are also assisting families who have lost contact with loved ones due to natural disasters abroad, hoping to confirm their safety.

Liggett’s involvement in this important work is relatively new. She has been with the Red Cross for only a year but came to the role with a stellar education background. She has a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in global health. Currently, she is working online toward a PhD in trauma-informed care.
While the work can be challenging, Liggett knows that it makes a difference in the lives of families who may otherwise never have a chance to reunite.

“You are constantly listening to sad stories. It’s hard to manage the emotional toll,” she says. “But you keep doing it because for some, we are their last hope.”

Right now, Liggett is looking for more volunteers in the Region to serve on her team and help with this crucial Red Cross role. If you are interested in helping families separated by the tragedies of war and disaster, learn more about how to get involved here.