Amman, Aug. 28 (Petra) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Jordan marked the International Day of the Disappeared, observed annually on August 30, with an event on Wednesday highlighting the enduring impact of disappearance on families and loved ones during and after conflicts.

The event, sponsored by South Korean Ambassador to Jordan Kim Pil-Woo, featured a live theatrical performance with monologues based on true stories told by mothers, fathers, siblings, and children of missing persons, portraying the emotional and psychological struggles caused by the absence of loved ones. It also included an exhibition that showcased personal belongings of missing individuals prepared by their families, carrying messages of love, resilience, and hope.

The ICRC in Jordan provides comprehensive support for families of missing Syrians residing in the Kingdom, including raising awareness of their right to know the fate of their loved ones, providing assistance in obtaining information, organizing psychosocial support sessions, delivering emergency relief and cash assistance, and helping families navigate the legal and administrative challenges of losing a breadwinner.

Head of the ICRC delegation in Jordan Yann Fridez said that families of the missing face multifaceted challenges that extend beyond the uncertainty of their loved ones’ fate, encompassing economic, health, psychological, and administrative difficulties, which worsen when the missing person is the primary provider.

Kim underscored the issue’s special meaning for the Korean people, recalling how the division of the Korean Peninsula in the 1950s separated millions of families. He noted that his government joined the ICRC’s "Protection of Family Links" project last year to support families of those missing in the Syrian conflict, and urged more partners to join this humanitarian effort.

For her part, ICRC Protection Coordinator in Jordan Aurelie Benete stressed that the plight of missing persons and their families represents one of the most complex humanitarian challenges, requiring the concerted efforts and combined expertise of all concerned actors to address it effectively.

//Petra// AO

28/08/2025 17:28:04