International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said they have registered more than 71, 000 missing persons across Africa as at June 2024.
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ICRC’s regional director for Africa, Mr Patrick Youssef, made the disclosure in a statement on the International Day of the Disappeared with the theme; ‘We Who Remain Behind Remember’.
Youssef said the number represented a 75 percent rise from 40,708, the number recorded in 2019.
The regional director stated that Africa is the continent with the highest missing persons caseload, the highest number of unaccompanied children, and the highest number of family reunifications, based on ICRC-registered cases.
“The issue of missing persons, including those who forcibly disappeared, remains one of the most damaging and long-lasting humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts and other situations of violence for all loved ones, whether a waiting wife or a heartbroken one.
“Behind every missing person, there are countless more suffering from the anguish and uncertainty. It’s a humanitarian tragedy for families, one that has consequences across all of society,” Youssef said.
He said protracted armed conflicts in Africa had resulted in the disappearance of thousands of people.
According to him, the continent is also prone to natural disasters, some of which are exacerbated by climate change, while perilous migratory journeys put vulnerable people at risk of separation and disappearance.
Youssef said the day observed every Aug. 30 would help raise awareness of the plight of the missing, honour their memories, and ease the emotional distress of families.
According to him, the day will help focus attention on the need to help prevent and respond to the issue of missing persons.
He called for a more determined international effort to prevent and respond to the issue of missing persons, whatever the circumstances.
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