25 August 2026
Every disappearance leaves a family in uncertainty. The International Day of the Disappeared takes place on 30 August. On this occasion, the Red Cross highlights the importance of the work carried out by the Family Links Network of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to restore contact between loved ones and search for people whose fate or whereabouts remain unknown.
In 2025, more than 505,000 missing persons were registered with the Network. Every minute, it helps an average of three families separated by conflict, violence, migration or disaster to maintain or restore contact.
In 2025, 227,378 new cases of missing persons were registered. Thanks to the tracing activities carried out by the Family Links Network, 37,100 people were located and 3,802 were reunited with their families. More than 1.5 million phone calls were also facilitated, and 77,088 Red Cross Messages were delivered. As the number of conflicts around the world continues to rise, disappearances remain a tragic consequence of armed conflicts, violence, disasters and migration.
Are you looking for a loved one or have you lost contact with a family member? The Restoring Family Links service of the Luxembourg Red Cross can support you throughout the process.