Colombia teaches Gaza to search for its missing without waiting for the war to end

In Gaza, over 10,000 individuals are reported missing due to ongoing conflict. Omar Al-Assouli from UNDP highlights how Colombia's experience in searching for missing persons can aid Gaza's efforts. Colombia's Unit for the Search for Persons Declared Missing (UBPD) operates independently of judicial processes, focusing on humanitarian needs. Al-Assouli emphasizes the urgency of finding missing individuals without waiting for peace agreements. Challenges in Gaza include lack of resources, primitive search methods, and displacement complicating identification efforts. Families are actively involved in searches, often using rudimentary tools. The Colombian model suggests that organized efforts can improve outcomes even amid conflict.