There are many reason that people dissapear...conflict, trafficking, kidnap, war, political upheaval, abduction, natural disasters, migration...for every person that dissapears there is a family left behind.

Conflict and disasters leave more than physical wounds: in  the turmoil, panic and terror, family members can be seperated in minutes, sometimes leading to long years of anguish and uncertainty about the fate of children, spouses or parents.

Trying to locate people and put them back in contact with their relatives is a major challenge for the ICRC and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.  The work includes tracing people, exchanging family messages, reuniting families and seeking to clrify the fate of those who remain missing.

Read about families we have traced:

Zahra’s Story

My aunt was scared for my safety...

Ahmed's story: I am now alone

I was taken for political reasons and my parents were killed that night for the same issues...

Mohammed’s Story: It was too dangerous for me to stay

...with a broken heart I left my wife and family behind

Leila’s Story: I did not know what country I was now in

Perhaps someday we will find a way of being together again

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