As Hostilities Simmer, the Global Missing People Situation Worsens; the Red Cross Claims a 70% Increase
By the end of 2024, there were about 284,400 people who had been reported missing by their families, according to the most recent statistics from the organization’s Family Links Network. The human cost of the current global upheaval is starkly illustrated by this net rise of around 115,000 persons since 2019.
The network also reported successes despite the overwhelming increase, reuniting over 7,000 families last year after locating over 16,000 missing people. This was made possible by a massive effort that included facilitating over 2.3 million phone conversations for divided families and sending around 90,500 Red Cross texts.
According to the research, the increase is directly related to escalating wars and a “diminishing adherence to the rules of war.” There are special requirements in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) aimed at preventing missing persons.
These include orders to account for the deceased, provide information on detainees as soon as possible, and refrain from splitting families during evacuations. According to the research, “When conflict parties adhere to international humanitarian law, the likelihood of individuals going missing decreases,” suggesting that the present increase is indicative of a widespread disregard for these essential guidelines.
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