The International Day of Missing Children was set up in memory of six-year-old Etan Patz, who disappeared in New York in 1979 on the way to the school bus station. The Day of Missing Children was first established in the USA and soon became the International Children’s Day, whose symbol was “Do Not Forget Me”.
In Serbia, over 1000 cases of missing children are registered annually, and the largest percentage is found and safely returned home.
ASTRA is dedicated to the eradication of all forms of exploitation and trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, as well as providing support in search for missing children. From March 2012 to April 2019, through the accredited European Number for Missing Children in Serbia − 116 000, 104 cases of missing children (63 girls and 42 boys) were recorded.
ASTRA, in cooperation with other members of the Global Missing Children’s Network and Missing Children Europe, are taking part in an international online campaign dedicated to preventing this problem and reminding us of all missing children around the globe. The campaign takes place on the social networks of member organizations of GMCN and MCE.
We must not forget the missing children and let this number grow. If you have any information about the missing child, please contact us by calling the number 116 000. All calls made by citizens from fixed phones or through Vip, Telenor and MTS networks are free of charge.