Nay Pyi Taw 8 May 2012: Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) announced today the launch of their Restoring Family Links Service. This program provides assists Myanmar families who have lost contact with loved ones when normal channels of communication are disrupted or difficult. This is done through a network of other Red Cross and Red Crescent movement partners across the globe. The MRCS Restoring Family Links Service is supported by Australian Red Cross.
Although Myanmar Red Cross has been assisting families to connect when they have been separated by disasters like Cyclone Nargis and Cyclone Giri, this is the start of a new service that allows families restore links in normal times when channels of communication are disrupted or difficult. To date, Red Cross Messages have been received from Malaysia, Bangladesh, China, Australia, U.S.A, Indonesia, and Thailand, seeking to connect with Myanmar family members.
Dr Tha Hla Shwe, MRCS President said: “MRCS is proud to launch the Restoring Family Links Service today. It allows us to assist families and reduce their stress and suffering when family members are lost or disconnected. We have already had some preliminary good results and we look forward to reconnecting more Myanmar families in the future”
There are 330 Red Cross branches in Myanmar, which covers all States and Regions in the country. Within these branches, MRCS has a strong volunteer network of 650 volunteers who are available to deliver Red Cross Messages. Some will travel by car, by motorcycle and boats. Some will need to walk long distances to reach their destinations to deliver these messages. However despite the challenges, they are dedicated to reconnecting families across Myanmar.
Myanmar Red Cross Society Restoring Family Links services are free of charge and any information provided to us is confidential and will be shared with your consent. For further information about how these services may be able to assist you, please contact your local township Red Cross branch, or contact directly to
Ms Su Su Lynn, RFL Coordinator,
42,4th Floor, Strand Road, Botahtaung Township
Yangon, Myanmar
Phone: +95 (01) 383684, +95 (01) 392029, +95 392030 Ext (130)
Email: rfl@myanmarredcross.org.mm, rfl.myanmarredcross@gmail.com
http://myanmarredcrosssociety.org/restoring-family-links