900 families of missing persons lauds ICRC’s efforts to trace their 284,000 loved ones

900 Families of missing persons lauds ICRC’s efforts to trace their 284,000 loved ones.

From Umar Dankano, Yola.

The International Committee of the Red Cross,ICRC has held its 4th International conference for 900 families of missing persons across 50 countries rekindling their hopes to be reunited with their over 284,000 missing beloved ones in the globe.

During the three days global conference conducted through virtual hubs, the ICRC provided the platform where families of the missing persons shared their various traumatic experiences and discussed problems of disappearances believing of being reunited with their loved ones yet to be discovered.Speaking on the conference at the Mubi hub in Adamawa state yesterday, Head of Sub-delegation,ICRC Mubi, Francesca

Piccin said that the conference stood out as one of the most amazing project at the ICRC with Nigeria being among the best context.

Piccin stressed that the conference was created as an answer to the plea of the families of the missing persons noting that Nigeria has the highest number of missing persons in Africa with 24,000 cases recorded in the ICRC’s register so far even though confirming the cases to higher than the ones reported.

Piccin added that the pains and trauma experienced by these families was shared with a joint purpose as deliberate motivational effort to encourage them to keep hope in searching to be reunited with their missing beloved ones.

She observed with dismay the violations of the International humanitarian laws and treaties signed by countries fingered as contributory factor to armed conflicts across the globe regretting carelessness and disrespect to the regulations by the nations.

She therefore reiterated the importance of these laws reminding all signatories to rise to the occasion with a view to help improve the safety and well-being of the people during crisis situations appealing for a change of direction.

“This cause is not limited to any territory,people,or religion.It can affect anyone.Humanity must recognize the condition of disappearance as a problem that demands a global response,and that all states have a duty to protect anyone on their territory from any adverse”. Piccin stressed.

In her remarks at the Conference, the ICRC, Protection field officer, Precious Binta Yaro explained that the virtual meeting was aimed at boosting the morale of the families of the missing persons to get to know they are not alone in the predicament.

Yaro said that the platform exposed and motivate them to reach out to authority to advocate for their needs, rights, also to strengthen them to know that other people share similar concerns and challenges across the globe.

Yaro advanced that with the training now, the families of the missing persons have established an Association which they will register with the Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) for legal backing so as to be handling their activities deli gently .

Hajiya Binta Sabo Mubi while sharing her traumatic experience on her missing beloved mother said in 2014 when the Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mubi town then all residents took to their heels for safety.

Sabo Mubi recounted that she was far in Kaduna when the unfortunate incident occured but had took the risk and came back to Mubi to found out about the missing of her son and mother but said that her son was eventually found in a village while the mother is yet to be located .

She applauded the efforts of the ICRC in the searching for their loved ones saying she indebted to the humanitarian firm for all they have been doing to them.

In their separate ordeals, Rejoice Enock Pakka and Yahaya Hamidu Mubi who bore their minds to disappearance of their 25 and 35 years old missing family members confessed that the conference has been an eye opener for them to conclude that their individual cases are even mild cases compared to they saw through the virtual meeting where families from 50 countries shared their stories

They both confirmed that with the new twist ,they more stronger and hopeful that one day ,they will reunite with their loved missing family members if alive expressing their appreciations to the ICRC for coming in to their lives to rekindled hope again.

“We appeal to the global media to hear us and amplify our voice;to human rights organizations and civil society groups to join the cause and support the families of missing persons;and to governments

that can establish legal frameworks, create public policies that raise awareness in society with events and places of remembrance for the missing as well as search tools and platforms where we can participate in the process.

“This cause is not limited to any territory ,people,or religion.It can affect anyone.

Humanity must recognize the condition of disappearance as a problem that demands a global response,and that all states have a duty to protect anyone on their territory from any adverse situation that could lead to disappearance, Likewise,it is necessary to strengthen and support international non-governmental and humanitarian organizations that represent and work alongside families.

“It is essential to support and protect families in their search. Today we live with memories and hope. Listen and share our voice!Join us in the search for a solution.Together we will be stronger, together, we can make a difference!”. They advocated.

Daily Hint Correspondent who attended the conference via zoom (virtual) reported the warm visible enthusiasm and nostalgic emotions that enveloped the participants across globe while sharing their stories with unquantifiable appreciations to the ICRC for the thought provoking interface.