YEREVAN. – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is focused on the problem of missing persons and assistance to their families, ICRC Yerevan office representative told reporters.

Zara Amatuni recalled that data has been collected since 1990s, and there is a database that is being renewed. The ICRC office is working in cooperation with the Armenian Red Cross Society.

According to ICRC data, Armenia has registered over 430 missing persons as a result of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Over 800 are missing from Armenia and Karabakh together, and over 4,000 throughout the region.

The DNA base of the relatives is being collected in cooperation with the Defense Ministry to identify those killed when the countries establish dialogue, and when it is possible to research the graves.

The ICRC is supporting the authorities in preparing a law envisaging assistance to the relatives of missing persons. The ICRC is implementing a program of assistance to the families, including financial aid to improve housing facilities.