Family Tracing Hotline Launched After Philippine Typhoon

Philippines, November 2013. Typhoon Haiyan struck Philippines 8th November, 2013. Volunteers and staff working with food items at Philippine Red Cross HQ. Photo: Jarkko Mikkonen / Finnish Red Cross.

By Maui Now Staff

Hawaiʻi residents looking for missing family members in the Philippines, following Typhoon Haiyan, now have a new resource to help in their search.

The Hawaiʻi Red Cross has set up a family tracing services hotline that can be accessed by calling (808) 739-8115.

Callers are asked to leave a message with their full name, phone number, address, and telephone number of the missing person; and a caseworker will be assigned to return calls.

Officials with the Hawaiʻi Red Cross say inquiries will be forwarded to the American National Red Cross, which is working with the Philippine Red Cross to locate family members.

The Red Cross sent two telecommunication specialists and a satellite system to the Philippines, but advise that communication is still very limited in the hardest hit communities, with many phones lines still down.

Philippines, November 2013. Typhoon Haiyan struck Philippines 8th November, 2013. Volunteers and staff working with food items at Philippine Red Cross HQ. Photo: Jarkko Mikkonen / Finnish Red Cross.

“We know that some Hawaiʻi residents are worried about trying to reach their loved ones. It may take days or even weeks to make contact because communication lines in the Philippines have been severely compromised in some areas,” said Coralie Matayoshi, CEO for the American Red Cross, Hawaiʻi State Chapter.

“We ask for everyone’s patience as we try to help in their search,” she said.

Information on how to donate through the Hawaiʻi Red Cross is available here.