1. NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES OF MISSING MIGRANTS
ICRC
NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES OF MISSING MIGRANTS
Regional Delegation of
The ICRC for Mexico,
Central America and Cuba

2. THE NEED TO KNOW PRIMARY NEEDS ICRC SEARCH FORENSIC SPHERE
PSYCHOLOGICAL
PSYCHOSOMATIC
PSYCHOSOCIAL
ECONOMIC
LEGAL
ADMINISTRATIVE

3. SEARCH Clearly defined assistance routes and systematic procedures.
ICRC
Clearly defined assistance routes and systematic procedures.
Inter-institutional communication and coordination.
Continuous feedback to families.
Homogeneous search mechanisms in the region.
Forms including sufficient information to enable the search and to compare data with other records.
Appropriate communication with the families.

4. SEARCHING IN THE PENITENTIARY SPHERE
ICRC
Access to adequate records.
Difficulty of inmates to communicate with their families.
During consular visits to detention centres, find out which persons have not communicated with their families.
Raising awareness among inmates to encourage them to contact their families.

5. SEARCHING IN THE FORENSIC SPHERE
ICRC
Lack of trust in the identification processes.
Repatriation of the remains of the missing migrants. No cremation.
Confusion and lack of information about forensic processes.
Providing the information that is required for identification.
Communication and coordination with forensic services.
Notification of death through the consular network and not through funerary homes.
Enabling an appropriate return of the remains of the missing migrants to their families.

6. ECONOMIC AND LEGAL NEEDS
ICRC
Reduction of income and increase in the number of dependents.
Expenses related to the search (procedures, transport).
Difficulty to cover their basic needs.
Obligations taken on by the missing persons.
Decisions relating to family patrimony.
Providing information about existing laws, mechanisms and procedures.
An effective search prevents families from having to search on their own.

7. PSYCHOLOGICAL, PSYCHOSOMATIC AND PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT
ICRC
Psychological Impact: Permanent uncertainty, anxiety and a state of alarm, inability to complete a grief process.
Health: Physical problems and serious diseases.
Psychosocial Impact: Deterioration of the relationship of the family member of the deceased with his or her environment: family, friends, community, society, State…
A restorative approach in every action of the consular network.
Assistance to families with a psychosocial approach.

8. ICRC
Regional Delegation for Mexico, Central America and Cuba
Av. Presidente Masaryk 29
Col. Chapultepec Morales,
CP , Mexico D.F.
Tel.: (+52)