On 30 August 2025, the Nepal Red Cross Society’s (NRCS) Chitwan district Chapter, with support from the ICRC, organized an event to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared (IDOD). Guided by the themes “Right to Know” and “They Are Not Forgotten”, the event brought together families of missing persons, government representatives, members of the security forces, Red Cross volunteers, local media, amongst others. Under the chairmanship of the Chapter president and the Chief District Officer as the chief guest, the gathering provided a space for reflection, remembrance, and solidarity.

During the interaction, families shared deeply personal stories of waiting and uncertainty. One father spoke of his missing son: “We are still waiting for information about his whereabouts. Without clarity, we cannot perform the rituals that are so important to us.” His words reflected the quiet endurance of many families who continue to live with uncertainty about their loved ones.

Across Nepal, more than 1,300 people remain missing from the decade-long conflict (1996–2006). In 2015, the government established the Transitional Commissions namely, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared (CIEDP). The government recently amended TRC Act in 2024 and reconstituted the commissions with a four-year deadline to complete the Transitional Justice process in Nepal.

This year, 22 NRCS district chapters marked the IDOD, holding commemorative events and community dialogues across the country. The ICRC continues to engage with the NRCS to support families of the missing. For the families, the right to know is more than a legal principle. It is a personal, emotional, and cultural need. It allows them to honour their loved ones through rituals, secure important documentation, and make decisions about their future with dignity. The ICRC remains committed to supporting them in their search for answers, by raising awareness, working with authorities, commissions, and communities to ensure that the needs of families stay at the centre of every effort.

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