The crisis in Kosovo has left a painful and tragic legacy. Apart from the physical suffering and devastation, thousands of families are suffering the anguish of uncertainty about the fate of their relatives unaccounted for.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been gathering information on persons unaccounted for directly from families since January 1998. The ICRC works on behalf of families of all communities, whether living in Kosovo or elsewhere. The information it has collected has been submitted to the relevant authorities and political leaders in both Belgrade and Pristina, with the request that they do everything possible to ascertain the whereabouts of the persons unaccounted for.

While reminding all parties of their obligations in view of the universally recognized right of families to know the fate of their relatives, the ICRC pledges its firm commitment to this task and its solidarity with the families. It will continue its efforts to help trace persons unaccounted for and appeals once more to all authorities to support it in this endeavour.