22nd May 2015

Missing Children Europe Helpline

A child is reported missing every 2 minutes in the EU.

Some run away from neglect, conflict or abuse at home or the institutions they are placed in. Others are abducted by a parent following a conflict and many other migrant children go missing from the reception centres they are placed in upon crossing the border and entering the EU.

By saving the European Missing Children hotline number, the 116 000 on your phone, you can help protect and bring back missing children. The 116 000 hotline is active in 29 countries across Europe.

Research shows that the first hours after the disappearance of a child are of vital importance. Therefore having an easy to remember, pan-European telephone number at the disposal of parents and children across Europe is extremely important to enable immediate action of the responsible local authorities.

Through this number, children and parents faced with a child disappearance in their country or in another European country, will increasingly have access to the life saving support they need, as the number is connected to national organisations specialised in dealing with missing children cases.

Missing Children Europe's member hotlines responded to 268,159 calls in 2014 but according to a survey requested by the European Commission in 2011, only 13% of Europeans are aware of this service.

Join us in spreading the word on May 25th, International Missing Children's day and help us create a safer Europe for children.

For more information on the issue of missing children, check out the Missing Europe website

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Help save the futures of missing children.