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FAQs

Call the hotline if you are a:

child who is missing from home / care or a child who is thinking of leaving home / care
parent or carer of a missing child
child, young person, or adult who has information about a missing child

Make a report to the police if you know of a child who has gone missing. This can be done by anybody, not just the parents or carers. You may also call the 116 000 hotline for support, advice, and to share valuable information about a missing child.

Who answers the calls?

Professionally trained Hotline Operators.

Does the 116 000 hotline work in my country?

The 116 000 number works in 32 countries in Europe. You can find the list of countries here.

The 116 000 hotline is not available in my country, who can I contact instead?

Always contact your national police to report a missing child or to share information relating to a missing child.

Other national hotlines or children’s organisations are available in your country, you can find this online.

Who can call the 116 000 hotline?

Everyone. Children, young people, parents or carers, families, and third party adults.

If you know about a missing child or if you know of a child at risk of going missing, the 116 000 hotline will be able to support you.

What information am I required to give when I call the 116 000 hotline?

You will be asked for details related to the missing child and their circumstances.

The more information provided the more help this will be for the protection of the child.

Do I have to share my details, I want to remain anonymous?

No, you do not have to share your details. Only share your details should you wish to.

MISSING CHILDREN UKRAINE

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Highlights

December 6, 2022

Highlight

Policy Symposium – Looking back to move forward: Reflecting on perspectives for missing children in migration

November 21, 2022

Celebrating 20 years of European action for missing children

November 18, 2022

We must make the Internet a Safe Place for Children

October 10, 2022

Family Mediation: In the Best Interests of the Child

More news

Figures & Trends

More than 250 000 children disappear each year in Europe

Let’s change that!

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Current Campaign

Help us protect Ukrainian missing children

The war on Ukraine has led to more than 3 million Ukrainians, mainly women and children seeking refuge abroad, putting them at risk of separation and going missing. By supporting our work, you will help us to protect missing children and their families.

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OUR IMPACT

What we have achieved so far

Supporting frontline professionals

200 professionals empowered to elaborate joint messages and recommendations to improve the respect of the rights of children under the Initiative for Children in Migration.

Advocating for child centred policy

Accessible, 24/7 available EU reserved number 116000 for missing child hotlines.

Mediation in international child abduction cases in Brussels II ter regulation.

Raising awareness and challenging narratives

1M people reached through our Tiny and Apollo campaign.

Over 200k people reached through the Runaway Prevention Month campaign.

Our impact

We need you on our side!

Learn how you can help support Missing Children Europe and what projects need your funding.

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We strive to protect and empower children to prevent them from going missing, and to keep them from harm when they do go missing