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This year, ASTRA, together with other organizations - members of the international organization Missing Children Europe - marked May 25, the International Day of Missing Children. On this occasion, Missing Children Europe draws attention to the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine, which has put thousands of children at risk of violence, trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation, and going missing.
During the first two months of the war on Ukraine, NGO Magnolia, the 116000 hotline operator in Ukraine, recorded an enormous increase in the reports of missing children. More than 2100 cases of children going missing inside Ukraine were reported due to war related activity (compared to 182 cases reported to the hotline during peace time in 2020). Among those cases, there are 15 cross-border cases of children going missing while seeking safety in the EU. A portion of these missing cases is simply due to temporary loss of contact because of damage to infrastructure, but a significant number of cases remains unresolved.
According to the Office of the Ukrainian Ombudsman, 232 children have been killed and 427 children were injured since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The total number of Ukrainian children, who physically suffered during the conflict, is impossible to ascertain.
Thanks to cross-border cooperation and the support of Missing Children Europe and its member network of 116 000 hotlines, several Ukrainian children who went missing as they were fleeing to safety in the EU, have been found safe and sound, and were reconnected to their families.
Missing Children Europe calls on Member States, and the EU, to take responsibility to ensure the protection of children’s rights both in Ukraine and in the EU to ensure all children are eventually safely reunited with their families. Investment in the capacity of the 116000 hotline in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries is needed to help find all the children and families who went and still go missing due to the war.
“Much more needs to be done to support all Ukrainian children at risk of going missing and to reunite them with their families is long. The EU and Member States need to take responsibility for children on their territory and develop common standards on registration of these children at the borders, as well as follow-up during the period of temporary protection. We also need strong investment in cross-border cooperation to help missing children organisations locate unaccompanied minors fleeing the war in Ukraine.”
Aagje Ieven, Secretary General of Missing Children Europe
Read Missing Children Europe’s report:
On this occasion, we remind you that ASTRA has been running the 116,000 helpline in Serbia for ten years. From March 2012 to December 31, 2021, 4,102 calls were realized, and 129 children (80 girls and 49 boys) were reported missing. Reasons for disappearance were: running away from home/home 56 (44%), the disappearance of an unaccompanied child 23 (18%), parental abduction 21 (16%), abduction by a third party 4 (3%), lost 3 (2%), injured or otherwise missing children 22 (17%).
From January 1 to December 31, 2021, 752 contacts were made via line 116000. Calls regarding missing children (671) referred to 11 children: 9 girls and 2 boys. Of this number, 8 children are citizens of Serbia, and 3 children are foreign citizens. Eight children have been found, and the search for three is still ongoing.
The European Number for Missing Children in Serbia services are free and available 24/7 by calling 116000 and e-mailing 116000@astra.rs. The line provides support in case the child is missing, monitors the case, provides the necessary support, and connects the parents/guardians with the competent authorities, the social security system, and other organizations.
As for the refugees from Ukraine who came to Serbia, so far, no case of the disappearance of a child in this migrant wave has been recorded on the territory of our country.
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