Malloy: Red Cross Helping Families Connect With Loved Ones in Japan Through the Internet

HARTFORD - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today is urging Connecticut residents seeking to re-establish contact with family members and friends in Japan to utilize a special Family Links website set up by the International Committee of the Red Cross to help reunite loved ones in the wake of a magnitude-8.9 earthquake.

The website (www.icrc.org/familylinks) allows people in Japan to register on the website to inform their family and frinds that they are safe and provide their current contact details. Those looking for missing people can check the list for information and can also register the names of family members and friends, encouraging them to get in touch. Communication networks in Japan have been overloaded, however the situation continues to change and access to mobile networks and the internet may improve.

"During this time of uncertainty resulting from the quake and tsunami, including the overloaded communications networks, this Red Cross website can be utilized as a good resource for people here in the states trying to find information and make connections to loved ones in Japan," Malloy said.

Information provided by the website is available to all and is free of charge.  Governor Malloy warned against fraudulent emails requesting money in regards to missing persons in Japan.

Inquiries about U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747.

Those looking for information regarding members of the U.S. Military stationed in Japan can use the American Red Cross Safe and Well website at www.redcross.org/safeandwell.