The Refugees United web-based search engine allows any person, within a broad definition of ‘refugee’, to begin the search for lost family members or friends, however the displacement happened or whenever it occurred in the past. RU is the first global registry that is a central point of information for refugees.

The platform does not involve forms or waiting lists, and can cut the time taken by other physical search methods. RU recommends not using full names or other sensitive information to maintain anonymity. Identification can be made through recognising individual details, such as scars or birthmarks, for instance, or giving the village or region of origin or other information. RU does not record the information, or allow access to the physical IP addresses, so seekers details remain secure. Communication between the ‘seeker’ and the ‘sought’ takes place in a secure, closed-circuit internet message system that allows the relatives or friends to confirm privately that each person is who they say they are. Currently, the RU system can be searched using 23 languages (more are added monthly). The system will be developed for use by low-literacy refugees through icons and non-written cues. This will greatly enhance the chances of a child, for instance, being able to locate a parent. Users could also be undocumented migrant workers or internally displaced people.

There are limitations to internet access in least developed countries, as shown in the table below. New satellite systems are increasing theoretical access in sub-Saharan Africa, but hardware costs, electricity reliability, and language and literacy constraints will still be problems in many areas.

The Refugees United system can be adopted by any refugee-oriented agency or NGO as a way of serving their target population. It supplements other tracing systems, such as the Red Cross services. It is essential that the group of NGOs working with the Refugees United system is expanded continuously to enable the full effect of the system to work. As many refugees as possible should have access to the system to ensure the greatest chance of finding matches. Current NGOs working with the system are the Red Cross in Sao Paolo, The Human Rights Commission of Brazil, The Coexist Initiative in Kenya, and Amera and Inclusion in Egypt. Monthly refugee registration sessions will be arranged to expand the users.

RU is accessing the media to publicise the idea with refugees as well as to raise awareness on the subject of the causes and treatment. On the launch day, 10th November 2008, RU involved 12,000 bloggers, reaching 6.5 million reader hits and generating more internet traffic than the previous World Refugees Day, according to the Nielson Buzzmetrics Scan. There have been over 250 media coverage articles so far.

RU has joined the Sao Paulo Executive Committee on Refugees and Immigrants to influence local and Southern public policy. The initial programme roll-out will begin in South America, due to higher internet access than in some other global refugee hot-spots. 50,000 registered users are planned in South America during year 2 (2010). The next focus will be in Egypt where there are some 40,000 official refugees but 400,000 to 3m unofficial migrants of various kinds including many from sub-Saharan Africa. The aim is to have 210,000 registered users there in year 2. Roll-out over sub-Saharan Africa may be achieved over the following 2 years.