• Refugees United is a start-up US and Denmark-registered charity helping refugees relocate lost family and friends.

• Using a free, web-based search engine, refugees can locate family members they may have become separated from during conflict or a disaster.

• There are believed to be over 11 million official refugees worldwide (UNHCR, 2007). There are many more unregistered or living illegally. In addition, officially there are nearly 14 million internally displaced people.

• The internet platform can currently be searched in 23 different languages, and can be used anonymously using nicknames or identifying features only.

• In addition to begninning communication towards family reunification, the system enables individuals to integrate and increase their self-sufficiency and dignity.

• Refugees United will be independent of governments, secure, and funded by the founders, sponsors, partnerships, foundations and individuals.

• It is expected that the programme roll-out will reach 260,000 refugees by year 2, at a cost of about £3.84 per person.

• Reducing the time and costs of current searches will enable more NGO and official funds to be spent directly on other humanitarian and developmental issues.

• Publicity about refugees will spotlight the causes and conditions of the problem.