The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has registered more than 71,000 missing persons across Africa as of June 2024, reflecting a 75% increase from the 40,708 cases recorded in 2019.
This information was disclosed by Mr. Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s Regional Director for Africa, in a statement issued to mark the International Day of the Disappeared, themed ‘We Who Remain Behind Remember.’
According to Youssef, Africa remains the continent with the highest number of missing persons, unaccompanied children, and family reunifications based on ICRC-registered cases. He emphasized the devastating impact of missing persons on families and communities, describing it as a “humanitarian tragedy” that affects society as a whole.
Youssef highlighted that armed conflicts, natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, and perilous migratory journeys are major factors contributing to the disappearance of thousands of people across the continent. He called for greater international efforts to prevent and address the issue of missing persons and underscored the need for political will, cooperation among authorities, and sufficient resources to tackle the problem.
He revealed that in Nigeria alone, the ICRC has registered around 24,000 missing persons, with more than half of them being children at the time of their disappearance. In the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, volunteers from the Nigerian Red Cross are working to reconnect families and provide mental health support, legal advice, and financial assistance where needed.
Youssef urged state authorities to take responsibility for clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing persons, in line with international humanitarian law. However, he noted that the ICRC and national societies play a crucial role in assisting families and addressing this complex humanitarian challenge.
