Ankara: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has disclosed that it holds records of more than 11,000 active cases of missing people in Sudan, with over 9,000 cases documented since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023.

According to Anadolu Agency, ICRC spokesperson Farid al-Hamid shared details with the Sudan Tribune, stating that the committee is collaborating with the Sudanese Red Crescent to ascertain the whereabouts of those missing. The tracing operations conducted by the agency successfully clarified the fate and location of 613 missing individuals in the first half of the year.

The ICRC has played a crucial role in reconnecting more than 38,500 people separated from their families. Al-Hamid also highlighted the training of emergency teams by the ICRC on methods of burying bodies in a manner that allows for later identification. In the capital, reports suggest that more than 20,000 bodies have been recovered and buried without formal records, leaving families uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.

Al-Hamid emphasized that the ICRC is engaged in confidential discussions with all parties involved in the Sudan conflict, advocating for adherence to international humanitarian law. The committee also trained hundreds of officers and armed personnel on international humanitarian law in the first half of the year, expressing concern over the ongoing impact of the conflict on civilians.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a war between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement. United Nations and international estimates indicate that tens of thousands have been killed and approximately 13 million people displaced.