• The missing person 
  • The family – The families of the missing suffer in many ways. They may struggle economically without the main breadwinner. They may be stigmatized or isolated from their communities. In some countries, family members may not have the legal or administrative status needed to rebuild their lives. They may also suffer a range of emotional and physical problems similar to those resulting from a traumatic event.
  • The community – Since a missing person belongs to various communities – ethnic, religious, political – the impact of their disappearance will be felt beyond the family. 
  • The society – Beyond the communities concerned, disappearances can affect broader society. This impact might last for decades and eventually harm peace and reconciliation initiatives in the long term.