Literary competition returns as British Red Cross launches new web-pages for Somali and Congolese communities in the UK
The British Red Cross has announced new online features on the charity’s website, to help people from Somali and Congolese communities in the UK to re-connect with their loved ones.
The new web features offer an improved interactive platform with cleaner page layouts, simplified language, comprehensive case-study videos and an intuitive site-wide navigation system. Short links for the two pages can be found at redcross.org.uk/somalia and redcross.org.uk/congo
Emily Knox, the British Red Cross Development Manager for International Family Tracing, said: “Our new online developments will make it easier for those separated by conflict, disaster or migration to connect to our free and independent tracing service.
“In addition to offering an improved functionality, design, and navigation the web-pages are also accessible through a wider range of web browsers and devices, including mobiles and tablets, and have been designed to meet all relevant accessibility standards,” she explained.
The new online videos feature two people, Fatima and Alex – from Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo respectively – explaining how they regained contact with their families through the support of the organisation.
The re-launch of the web-pages coincides with the launch of 2014’s Day of the Disappeared creative writing competition whose theme this year is “Searching”.
There are two categories for the competition: adult and young persons aged 16 or under. All entries including stories, poems or personal accounts must be submitted by 18 July 2014 and are required to be no more than 500 words.
The winning entry in each category will receive a £100 Amazon gift voucher. Two runners-up in each category will each receive a £50 Amazon gift voucher.
Ms Knox said: “The International Day of the Disappeared is a chance for us to stand together with those who have missing relatives. This competition offers a great way of encouraging people to actively engage with the spirit of the day, and show support for those whose loved ones are missing as a result of armed conflict and other disasters.”
Entries for the competition can be submitted at: http://www.redcross.org.uk/
Last year the British Red Cross took on almost 1000 new cases and we helped 144 people trace their families. The main conflicts that separated these families related to the situations in Afghanistan, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria and the Second World War.