Υπηρεσία Αναζητήσεων Ελληνικού Ερυθρού Σταυρού
- Hellenic Red Cross Tracing Department
- Ypiresia Anazitiseon Ellinikou Erithrou Stavrou
Address
Phone
Fax
History
Ever since its foundation, in 1915, the Hellenic Red Cross Tracing Department has performed a highly significant task. During its history, it has not only been active in tracing missing persons in unstable situations, during both war and peace in Greece and abroad; it has facilitated communication between captives, detainees, and refugees and their relatives. Goals: Maintain family unity · Restore family links · Maintain communication among family members · Trace missing persons and inform their relatives. Activities: Collect personal data of missing persons · Keep records of the data of missing persons and of applicants · Gather and keep record of general information · Restore communication after having traced missing persons · Provide Red Cross Messages (RCM) · Contribute to the repatriation of victims of armed conflicts · Provide assistance to Greeks living abroad and to foreigners living in Greece to trace their relatives, always in cooperation with local or foreign institutions, governmental or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) · Provide certificates to hostages, prisoners, people tortured, and relatives of people murdered, in order to help the victims or their relatives with retirement issues or rehabilitation.
The activities of the Hellenic Red Cross Tracing Department are always based on showing respect to the family and to the right of people to be informed of the fate of their loved ones and to reunite with them, and extend further than just tracing people. The motto of the Tracing Department’s work is “to maintain the family unity”.
Archival and Other Holdings
The Hellenic Red Cross Tracing Department has the largest tracing record in Greece and one of the largest worldwide, with 400.000 personal files. The Information Bank of the Tracing Department is constantly updated with new data and documents and, so as to function more effectively, collaborates closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Network of Tracing Services, state and private institutions, international organizations, mass media and volunteers both in Greece and abroad.
Finding Aids, Guides, and Publication
There is no available catalogue. Handwritten cards are available in Greek.
Opening Times
The department is open Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 15:00 pm. It's closed on public holidays.
Conditions of Access
Due to a shortage of staff, the department faces difficulties in offering the proper conditions for research within its archival collections. Researchers are requested to complete an application and to ask to receive information on a specific person.
Research Services
The department has no space for researchers.
Reproduction Services
Copies are available and issued by department employees. Ratified copies are available upon application.
Dates of Creation and Deletion
Date of creation: 24/02/2015.
Sources
Entry by Vasilis Ritzaleos based on the Hellenic Red Cross Tracing Department's website and information provided by the staff.