The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has raised the alarm over the disappearance of over 25,000 African children.
The ICRC, in a published report on Tuesday to commemorate the International Day of the Disappearance, said it was worrisome the number of minors missing across the continent.
The figure, it said, represented 40% of the 64,000 cases of missing persons in Africa.
The Committee said among the issue leading to such disappearance include insecurity, whereby the report showed that there are more than 35 armed conflicts across the continent.
“This has led thousands of people, including children to cross borders, the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea in search of a safe place and a better life, far from these conflicts.
“Such movements carry great risks and disappearance is at the top of the list.
“Unfortunately, the 25,000 cases recorded do not reflect the full extent of this tragic and often overlooked humanitarian problem.
“There is no doubt that there are many more children who have no news of them,” the report issued by the ICRC’s Regional Director for Africa, Patrick Youssef, said.
“During their travels, children face a number of risks such as exploitation, violence, psychological distress and disappearance,” he said, adding that the number of documented cases of missing persons on the continent continues to rise.