Number of Registered Missing People Surges by 70 Percent Over Five Years: Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross reports a significant increase in people registered as missing, driven by growing conflicts and migration.
Geneva: The Red Cross has reported that more than a quarter of a million individuals are now registered as missing, marking an increase of 68 percent over the past five years.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), this rise is largely attributed to escalating conflicts, mass migration, and diminishing respect for international humanitarian laws governing warfare.The ICRC's Family Links Network reported that by the end of 2024, 284,400 people were registered as missing, highlighting an alarming trend in the surging numbers of missing persons across global hotspots.
This figure, while indicative of a dire situation, is believed to represent only a fraction of the broader issue at hand.Pierre Krahenbuhl, ICRC director-general, emphasized that millions more remain separated from their loved ones, often for extended periods or even decades.
He urged that with stronger measures in place to prevent such separations, protect detainees, and manage casualties appropriately, many families could be spared enduring distress.The ICRC underscored the critical role of states and parties involved in armed conflicts in preventing disappearances, clarifying the fates of missing individuals, and providing support to affected families.
It highlighted that adherence to international humanitarian law significantly reduces the risk of people going missing.
The guidelines outlined by such laws include maintaining family unity during evacuations, sharing timely information about detainees, and accounting for deceased enemy combatants.This nuanced approach not only seeks accountability for those missing but also emphasizes the long-term societal implications.
Effective compliance with these legal standards is vital for fostering peace-building, reconciliation, and community healing post-conflict.
By prioritizing adherence to international humanitarian laws, all parties involved can mitigate the devastating impact of disappearances on families and communities worldwide.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), this rise is largely attributed to escalating conflicts, mass migration, and diminishing respect for international humanitarian laws governing warfare.The ICRC's Family Links Network reported that by the end of 2024, 284,400 people were registered as missing, highlighting an alarming trend in the surging numbers of missing persons across global hotspots.
This figure, while indicative of a dire situation, is believed to represent only a fraction of the broader issue at hand.Pierre Krahenbuhl, ICRC director-general, emphasized that millions more remain separated from their loved ones, often for extended periods or even decades.
He urged that with stronger measures in place to prevent such separations, protect detainees, and manage casualties appropriately, many families could be spared enduring distress.The ICRC underscored the critical role of states and parties involved in armed conflicts in preventing disappearances, clarifying the fates of missing individuals, and providing support to affected families.
It highlighted that adherence to international humanitarian law significantly reduces the risk of people going missing.
The guidelines outlined by such laws include maintaining family unity during evacuations, sharing timely information about detainees, and accounting for deceased enemy combatants.This nuanced approach not only seeks accountability for those missing but also emphasizes the long-term societal implications.
Effective compliance with these legal standards is vital for fostering peace-building, reconciliation, and community healing post-conflict.
By prioritizing adherence to international humanitarian laws, all parties involved can mitigate the devastating impact of disappearances on families and communities worldwide.
