PRC Secretary General
Dr Rizwan Naseer. PHOTO: FILE
The citizens of Pakistan can greatly benefit from the Restoring Family Links (RFLs) program of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC) locally as well as internationally. The RFL is a key area of cooperation between the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the ICRC over the years.
The PRCS shall start a national free of cost helpline called ‘Lost’, where any person can call to report their sought family member.
Depending on the circumstances of separation, the helpline will orient the requesters to most appropriate restoring family links services. They will be either put in contact with nearby PRCS RFL staff all over Pakistan or referred to public hospital if it is likely that sought relatives might be admitted due to any accident, emergency or disaster.
The network of RFL reporters present in all public hospitals will also ensure continuity between the service provided online and a proximity to the patients and their families. This was stated by PRC Secretary General Dr Rizwan Naseer while talking to The Express Tribune.
Under the RFL Strategy for 2008–2018, all ICRC components pledged to strengthen their RFL capacity, including in natural disasters/emergencies. PRCS is committed to play a central role in RFL response at all time in Pakistan.
Lost helpline project will be further elaborated and explained in a detailed concept paper, shared and approved by ICRC before budget allocation.
The Lost Helpline will be comprised of dedicated and trained RFL persons as well as trained psychologists available on call 24/7. This centre will not only work in times of disasters and emergencies, but shall also be working throughout the year.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2016.
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