International Tracing & Messaging Services

Volunteers and staff from your Mid Coast Chapter American Red Cross work with a global network of Red Cross, Red Crescent and equivalent societies to restore hope and dignity to the world's vulnerable people. Guided by our seven Fundamental Principles—Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality—this International Red Cross movement brings emergency relief to disaster victims, improves basic living conditions of those in chronically deprived areas, and empowers people with the skills they need to help themselves. The members of the International Red Cross movement including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (Federation), and national societies like the American Red Cross, work together toward common goals during times of crisis or disaster.

Red Cross tracing services and Red Cross Messages help families locate each other, send communication and learn each other's fate. These services, which are conducted between people living in the United States and their relatives living in foreign countries, may be required for several years.

The Red Cross only does international tracing.  We do not do domestic tracing unless family members become seperated due to a domestic disaster. 

For more information about International Tracing or Messaging, please call us at Mid Coast Chapter at 729-6779 or 563-3299.

Volunteering Overseas

The American Red Cross has a limited physical presence in other countries, since each of those countries has its own Red Cross organization. We do deploy a limited number of pre-trained personnel (when requested) as well as shipping supplies and funds in coordination with our worldwide movement. Volunteer prospects with no prior disaster relief experience or technical skills are rarely accepted by many international relief organizations, including American Red Cross. The bulk of international disaster response activities are handled by relief professionals from the international community and from the region affected. Well-intentioned foreigners, lacking technical skills, disaster experience, and familiarity with the local culture and language, can seriously complicate relief efforts.

People with previous disaster or international experience, as well as technical skills (for example, medicine, communications, logistics, water/sanitation, engineering, etc) may be needed. Agencies may, however, require a time commitment of three months or longer. Those interested in pursuing volunteer possibilities can register their skills with The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) at www.cidi.org.

Making a Donation to the International Disaster Relief Fund

You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

International Services Courses & Trainings available at your Mid Coast Chapter

The Mid Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross offers a variety international services classes and presentations.  Examples of our classes and presentatons include, "Exploring Humanitarin Law", "Internatonal Relief and Development", and "Red Cross International Social Services".  To enroll in one of these courses, or to arrange for a member of our staff to make an International Services presentation to your school or organization, please call us at 729-6779 0r 563-3299.