18Dec

Uniting Families Worldwide through the Restoring Family Links Program

By Catie Ballenger, The American Red Cross

June 11, 2018. Tucson, Arizona. Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo forced Lydia to seek asylum in the U.S., leaving her far away from her family. With the help of the Red Cross, Lydia located her daughter through the Restoring Family Links  program. Photo by Michelle Frankfurter/American Red Cross
June 2018. Tucson, Arizona. Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo forced Lydia to seek asylum in the U.S. With the help of the Red Cross, she located her daughter through (RFL). Photo by Michelle Frankfurter/American Red Cross

With support from incredible donors like Western Union and the Western Union Foundation, the American Red Cross is working to meet the needs of migrants, create more dialogues and interactions within countries and regions while providing education and collaboration opportunities.

This International Migrants Day, the American Red Cross and other organizations are calling on the international community to unite and commemorate the refugees and migrants who have disappeared or lost their lives while trying to reach safe harbor after difficult journeys.

In 2019, the number of migrants worldwide reached 272 million and 3,123 have gone missing or died. The Red Cross is dedicated to reconnected loved ones separated by international crises through the Restoring Family Links Program. In addition to reuniting loved ones, we provide millions of people around the world, humanitarian assistance every year, providing emergency shelter, food, first aid, cleanup kits and comfort in times of disaster.

June 11, 2018. Tucson, Arizona. Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo forced Lydia to seek asylum in the U.S., leaving her far away from her family. With the help of the Red Cross, Lydia located her daughter through the Restoring Family Links  program. Photo by Michelle Frankfurter/American Red Cross
Kiev, Ukraine. After grieving and fearing the worst, sisters couldn’t bear to let go again. They were brought together by the Red Cross (RFL) after being separated for decades.

Donors like the Western Union Foundation make this program possible. “We are grateful to have a partner that shares our mission of connecting loved ones,” said Gino Greco, Regional Chief Executive Officer of Colorado and Wyoming at The Red Cross. “We are proud to work alongside the Western Union Foundation in celebration of International Migrants Day and look forward to uniting more families.”

U.S. customers sending money through the Western Union mobile app this holiday season can click ‘donate to the WU Foundation before completing their money transfer. One hundred percent of donations made through the mobile app from Dec. 15, 2019 — Jan. 15. 2020 will go to the American Red Cross Restoring Family Links program and each in-app donation will unlock an additional $10 gift (up to $50,000) from the Foundation.