Al-Khobar, November 12, 2024 – The Restoring Family Links Network for the Near and Middle East regional conference officially commenced today in Al-Khobar, Eastern Region, hosted by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This three-day conference, running from November 11 to 13, marks a significant milestone as it is the first time Saudi Arabia has had the honor of hosting this important event.
The conference serves as a crucial platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices in humanitarian responses, particularly those focused on re-establishing family connections for individuals separated or missing due to conflict, natural disasters, or other crises. These discussions are central to the ongoing global efforts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements, which work tirelessly to reunite families who have been torn apart by emergencies. This year’s gathering brings together experts, practitioners, and representatives from various national societies, ICRC missions, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Notably, delegates from the ICRC offices and national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in the Near East and Middle East regions are also participating, ensuring a regional perspective on the challenges and opportunities in restoring family links.
The conference agenda includes a series of key discussions aimed at improving humanitarian responses. One of the primary focuses will be the Family Links Strategy 2020-2025 and its future directions. This strategy outlines the steps necessary to enhance the restoration of family connections and the tools needed to address the evolving needs of displaced families and missing persons. In addition, the conference will provide a detailed overview of the “Shawafat” platform, a significant initiative dedicated to facilitating the re-establishment of family links. The platform’s capabilities and its role in supporting SRCA’s efforts will be explored in depth, highlighting its critical contribution to the region’s humanitarian landscape.
A central theme of the conference will also address the challenges faced by displaced families and those of missing persons. Participants will engage in discussions about identifying these families’ specific needs and exploring viable solutions to ensure their well-being. The protection of personal data, a key concern in today’s digital age, will also be a major topic, with a focus on safeguarding individuals' privacy and ensuring that family links programs adhere to the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity.
Further, the conference will delve into the principles, methodologies, and tools that underpin family links protection programs and initiatives, examining how these practices can be enhanced to better serve vulnerable populations. The regional dynamics of the Family Links Network in the Near East and Middle East will be a critical point of analysis, as the unique challenges and resources of these areas are explored in the context of broader humanitarian efforts.
By providing a collaborative space for regional experts to share knowledge, the conference aims to improve the effectiveness of the Family Links Network and strengthen the global response to the needs of displaced and separated families. Through this event, SRCA and ICRC reaffirm their commitment to humanitarian action, ensuring that those affected by crises are given the support they need to reunite with their loved ones.