 Every day thousands of people around the world go missing. Whether during armed conflict, migration or a natural disaster. No matter the reason, one thing is true in every case. The missing person's family suffers immensely. Not just emotionally, but physically, financially and socially. Until they know the status of their loved one, their lives are put on hold. Stuck in the waiting, in the worrying about where their loved one is, if they're alive and if they'll ever return. As time passes, the struggles are only amplified. The emotional toll alone can be crippling and create tension in other relationships. A mom can't be there for her child in the ways she wants. A child doesn't always get the affection they need and family conflicts are likely to arise about how to handle the situation. The financial strain put on the family is also incredibly stressful. Oftentimes it's the breadwinner of the family who goes missing. When that happens, the family struggles to stay afloat. So much of their waking moments are spent searching for their missing loved one. Even if they don't seem to be getting any closer to finding them, they never stop thinking about them. So many aspects of their lives become more complicated. In many countries, closing a bank account or collecting an inheritance can't be done without verifying the missing person's whereabouts. Sometimes the family's physical safety is compromised. Even if it's only perceived danger, the vulnerability felt without their missing loved one is real and can be terrifying. Socially they struggle too. Many people around them don't understand what they're going through and after enough time, start to believe they should just move on with their lives as though their loved one isn't returning. Time passes, life moves on for everyone around them, but they're stuck. Over time, they might suffer other losses that amplify the situation. This can result in even more vulnerability for the family, especially if they're in a war-torn country. The stress is multifaceted. The pain is ever-present. The struggle intensifies as time goes on. No matter the reason someone goes missing, the family's back home have a right to know their fate and they deserve assistance while they wait. This is precisely why the International Committee of the Red Cross has devoted itself to creating programs and services to help these families in need. Visit icrc.org to learn more and get involved.