What is a Red Cross Message?
Red Cross Message is a form designed in cooperation with the International Red Cross. The forms are available in several languages.
What is Red Cross Message used for?
Red Cross Message is used when there is no other way to contact your family members, for example during war or natural disaster.
To which countries Red Cross Message can be send?
To countries where the Red Cross has started delivering messages. If you feel uncertain of whether your client can send a Red Cross Message to a certain country, check the matter from the Finnish Red Cross Headquarters, tel. (09) 129 3344.
What should be written in the message?
The sender’s and the recipient’s personal data is written on the first page. The personal message of the family members is written in the message part. Any political, military or discriminatory comments of any group should not be included in messages.
In which language should the message be written?
You can write the message in your mother tongue. If you use other alphabet than the Latin one, write the names and place names in the address in letters of both alphabets to avoid mistakes in translation.
Why the message is in two parts?
The first part (sections 1-6) is meant for the sender to fill in, and then the reply message can be delivered with the second part.
Can I enclose money or medicines with the Red Cross Message?
You can’t send money or medicines through the Red Cross.
Can I enclose a photo and an additional page with the message?
In most cases you can. In some special situations we may have to limit the length of the message for practical reasons.
Can I send a message even though I don’t have an address?
The Red Cross Message should have an adequate address, so that our workers can deliver the message. However, in some parts of the world there are no exact addresses. Then you can for example draw a map and enclose it with the message. We can assess the address for example on grounds of whether you would find the recipient with the help of the given address.
Who will deliver the Red Cross Message?
Usually the local Red Cross workers, sometimes also workers of the International Red Cross deliver the messages to the given address.
How long does it take to deliver a Red Cross Message?
The Red Cross tries to deliver Red Cross Messages as soon as possible. The situations in conflict areas may change unexpectedly. It is impossible to give an exact schedule for delivering the message.
What if the Red Cross doesn’t locate the receiver of the message?
We will return the message; we also aim to indicate the reason why the receiver was not found.
Where do I deliver a Red Cross Message?
All the Red Cross Messages should be delivered to:
The Finnish Red Cross, Tracing Services, P.O. Box 168, 00141 Helsinki
I didn’t find an answer to my question, where can I get further information?
Contact the Red Cross Headquarters, Tracing Services,
Tel. (09) 129 3344 or by e-mail aki.vaila(at)redcross.fi
Photo: ICRC
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