Wars and Mass Migration Drive Global Disappearances to 284,000 by 2024
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the number of individuals reported missing worldwide surged by 70% over the last five years, reaching 284,000 cases by the end of 2024, reports 24brussels.
The staggering increase is primarily attributed to escalating conflicts and a blatant disregard for humanitarian standards, alongside significant mass migration. In the analyzed timeframe, 16,000 individuals were located, while an additional 7,000 were reunited with their families.
“From Sudan to Ukraine, through Syria and Colombia, the conclusion is unequivocal: the steep rise in disappearances reminds us that parties to conflicts and their supporters are not protecting populations in times of war,” stated ICRC Director Pierre Krähenbühl.
The figures come from the Restoring Family Links Network, a collaborative effort between the ICRC and national Red Cross and Red Crescent bodies aimed at locating missing persons and facilitating contact among families severed by armed conflict, disasters, and migration.
The 284,000 recorded cases reflect data available as of December 2024, suggesting the real number may be even higher. The ICRC defines a “disappeared” person as one whose relative has reported a loss of contact, with each case remaining open until clarity is achieved or until the family informs the ICRC that the person has been located.
“The tragedy of disappearances is not inevitable if stronger measures are taken to prevent separations, protect detainees, and manage human remains properly, which could spare countless families a lifetime of anguish,” the ICRC emphasized.
Observed on August 30, the International Day of the Disappeared serves to raise awareness about the plight of the missing, honor their memories, recognize the emotional turmoil faced by families, and direct attention towards measures needed to prevent and address this humanitarian crisis.
