As the International Committee of Red Cross ( ICRC) known for protecting the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations marks this year International Day of the Disappeared ( IDD) set aside to identified with those whose loved ones have disappeared either as a result of Boko haram attacks or other disasters, their families have called on government and other stakeholders to intensifies efforts towards identifying the whereabout of their love ones.
Speaking at the event organised by ICRC at the weekend in Yola, the chairperson Missing families Association, Sadiya Abubakar, lamented the current economic hardships in the country which she said has seriously affected their survival.
” We are still looking for our loved ones that have disappeared, we don’t know wheather some of them are still alive or not, but we are calling on government and other NGOs to come to our aid not only in identifying the where about of our loved ones but also in supporting us to survive.
” We are going through alot due to the current economic hardships in the country we really need help,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr.Benson Lee, ICRC protection of family link officer, said behind each missing person is family leaving in anguish and uncertainty struggling with the pain of not knowing what has happened to their loved ones.
He said the situation is compounded by economic, legal, administrative and, psychological and challenges which calls for all hands to be on deck.
According to him, 13,595 families ( 68% females) are searching for 23,659 missing persons and 59% of them are minors at the time of disappearance, adding that 67% of incidents occurred in Borno stat.
He further called for government support to families of those whose loved ones cannot be traced especially in the areas of economic and social assistance, health and educational services.