By 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 around the globe.
During the three-day global conference conducted through virtual hubs, the ICRC provided a platform where families of the missing persons shared their various traumatic experiences and discussed problems of disappearances, believing that they would be reunited with their loved ones yet to be discovered.
Speaking during the conference at the Mubi hub in Adamawa state on Thursday, Head of Sub-delegation, ICRC Mubi, Francesca Piccin, said the conference stood out as one of the most amazing projects at the ICRC, with Nigeria among the best contexts.
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 be higher than the ones reported.
The ICRC head added that the pains and trauma experienced by these families were shared with a joint purpose as a 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 a 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 helping 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 let them know they are not alone in the predicament.
Yaro said that the platform exposed and motivated them to reach out to the authorities to advocate for their needs and rights, and to strengthen them to know that other people share similar concerns and challenges across the globe.
She added that with the training now, the families of the missing persons have established an Association, which they will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for legal backing, to handle their activities diligently.
Hajiya Binta Sabo Mubi, while sharing her traumatic experience of her missing beloved mother, said that in 2014, when the Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mubi town, all residents took to their heels for safety.
Sabo Mubi recounted that she was far in Kaduna when the unfortunate incident occurred, but had taken the risk and came back to Mubi to find out about the disappearance 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 searching for their loved ones, saying she is indebted to the humanitarian firm for all they have been doing for them.
In their separate ordeals, Rejoice Enock Pakka and Yahaya Hamidu Mubi who bore their minds to the disappearance of their 25 and 35-year-old missing family members confessed that the conference has been an eye-opener for them to conclude that their individual cases are even mild compared to what they saw through the virtual meeting where families from 50 countries shared their stories
They both confirmed that with the new twist, they are stronger and hopeful that one day, they will reunite with their loved missing family members if alive, expressing their appreciation to the ICRC for coming into their lives to rekindle 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, we can make a difference!”. They advocated.
Our Correspondent, who attended the conference via Zoom (virtual), reported the warm, visible enthusiasm and nostalgic emotions that enveloped the participants across the globe while sharing their stories with unquantifiable appreciation to the ICRC for the thought-provoking interface
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