By David Faith Boluwatife (IT Student, Ifotech)
Aliyu Dawobe, the Public Relations Officer for ICRC Nigeria, reveals that more than 25,000 people have registered as missing cases with the Red Cross in the last decade.
Initiated in 2013 in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, ICRC’s family reunification efforts extend beyond the reported cases, as Dawobe acknowledges that the 25,000 figure represents only a fraction of those aware of ICRC’s assistance.
Dawobe suggests that the actual number of missing individuals may be lower, considering some families successfully reunite without ICRC involvement.
Explaining further, he states, This number could decrease since some individuals can reconnect with their families without the ICRC’s knowledge or assistance.
In the period from January to September 2023, ICRC Nigeria facilitated the finding of more than 400 individuals, reestablishing contact with their families.
Additionally, 563 families of individuals in custody received news of their loved ones, and 580 civilians successfully reconnected with their families.
ICRC Nigeria is gearing up for the third International Conference on the Families of Missing Persons.
This event aims to unite families globally, providing a platform to discuss challenges, exchange information, and share coping mechanisms developed over the years.
The conference fosters networking opportunities, enabling participants to learn from each other and apply best practices in their respective communities.
