BASIC
What is Trace The Face?
Trace The Face is an online photo gallery, with pictures of thousands of people looking for their family. It helps migrants and their relatives who have lost contact on the migratory route towards and within Europe to reconnect. It is run by the National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies and the ICRC.
In which case can I use Trace The Face?
Trace The Face is an online tool with pictures of people looking for their missing relatives. You can look here for your a missing family member if :
- you have migrated to Europe and lost contact with your family in your home country or any other country
- you have a relative who has gone missing while going to Europe or once they arrived to Europe.
In any other cases – for instance loss of contact linked to war, natural disasters or migration outside Europe – the International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent can still help you. You must contact or go to the nearest National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or ICRC office.
I want to publish my photo on Trace The Face. How can I do it?
So far, it is not possible to publish your photo yourself. You can only do it through National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or ICRC staff.
Contact information of your nearest National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or ICRC office. You can only file a request to look for a family member.
I have recognized my relative on a photo. What should I do?
If you have recognized your relative in the photo gallery, press on the link “Do you have information?” which is right under the picture. Fill up the information form. A National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or ICRC staff will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
Will my information, as well as my relative's information, be protected?
Yes. On the website, only your picture and your family link with your missing relative will be shared. Neither your name, nor location will be disclosed. All other information you have shared to help look for your relative – as where you live now or details about how and when you lost contact – are confidential. This information will only be shared within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. During your interview with staff, you are given the choice to share some information on your relative with other organisations in order to help look for him/her. More information will be given to you by the Restoring Family Links Officer when you start this process.
PRACTICAL
In which countries can I use Trace the Face?
You can access the photo-gallery anywhere in the world. However, if you wish to upload your photo on the website, you can only do it through National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or ICRC staff. This is not possible in all countries.
I have published my photo on Trace the Face. How will I get an answer?
If someone recognizes your picture or if your relative has been found by other means, National Red Cross or Red Crescent or ICRC staff will get in touch with you. Unfortunately, this can take some time, so it is very important to keep us updated on any change in your contact details (address, telephone number) or if you have restored contact with your missing relative.
I have not migrated to Europe. Can I use Trace The Face?
Yes. The photobook on Trace the Face can be checked all around the world. The service to upload your own picture is not available in all countries though. If it is not possible to upload your picture, the Restoring Family Links program can still help you look for your lost relative. Please approach the nearest office where you live to know how.
I have migrated to Europe and lost contact with my family outside of Europe. Can I use Trace the Face?
Yes, you can check the photo gallery to see if your loved ones are also looking for you, wherever they are – in your home country or in another country. You can also contact the nearest National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or ICRC office to start the search, and if you wish, publish your picture on Trace the Face.
I lost contact with relatives who migrated towards Europe. Can Trace the Face help me?
Yes, you can check the photo gallery to see if your loved ones, who have migrated to Europe, have already published their picture. You can also contact the nearest National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or ICRC office to start the search, and if you wish, publish your picture on Trace the Face.
I did not find my missing relative in the photo-gallery. What can I do?
If your relative is under 15 years-old, you will not find them in the photo-gallery. Their pictures are not on-line and this is to protect them from potential harm. You can only access photos of minors under 15 with the help of the National Red Cross/Red Crescent Society or ICRC staff.
If your relative is over 15 years old, we are sorry you have not found them. You can try looking again on Trace the Face website after some time and check if they have not posted their picture. You can also go to the nearest National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or International Committee of the Red Cross office, in the country you live in. There is a specific department in each of these offices dedicated to help people look for their missing relatives. The program is called Restoring Family Links.