The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports that over 71,000 individuals are registered as missing across Africa, marking a 75 percent increase since 2019. In a statement released on Friday, the ICRC highlighted that Africa has the highest number of missing persons, unaccompanied children, and family reunifications globally, based on data recorded up to the end of June.
Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the profound humanitarian impact of missing persons, including those forcibly disappeared, stating: “Behind every missing person, there are countless more suffering from anguish and uncertainty. It’s a humanitarian tragedy for families, one that has consequences across all of society.”
Prolonged armed conflicts, natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, and dangerous migratory routes have contributed to the high number of disappearances on the continent. The ICRC stresses the importance of International Day of the Disappeared, observed on August 30, to raise awareness and honor the memories of the missing and their families, while calling for stronger international efforts to address and prevent the issue.
In Nigeria alone, around 24,000 individuals are registered as missing, with more than half being children at the time of their disappearance. Volunteers from the Nigerian Red Cross in conflict-affected areas such as Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe are actively delivering messages to families who have lost contact with loved ones, as well as providing mental health support, legal advice, and financial assistance.
Youssef underscored that under international humanitarian law, state authorities bear the primary responsibility for clarifying the fate of missing persons, but often lack the resources, knowledge, or political will to effectively respond. The ICRC and National Societies play a critical role in supporting these efforts.
