25th May: International Missing Children’s Day

PRESS RELEASE

Athens, 22 May 2025

25^th May: International Missing Children’s Day

The National Center for Missing Children and Adults of “The Smile of the Child” presented New Initiatives, Services and Best Practices

Every 2 days, “The Smile of the Child” manages the disappearance of 1 child and 1 adult who are in immediate danger

As a token of remembrance for every child that remains missing, dozens of balloons were released into the Attica sky to the tunes of the Navy band

In the presence of the Minister of Citizen Protection, the Deputy Minister of Mental Health,  the Chief of the Hellenic Police,  the Deputy Commander of the Coast Guard, representatives of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Hellenic Army General Staff, Hellenic Navy General Staff, Hellenic Air Force General Staff and the Fire Department, as well as Embassies and Municipal Police from all around Greece, on the occasion of International Missing Children’s Day May 25^th, the National Center for Missing Children and Adults, operated by “The Smile of the Child,” organized an event at the Zappeion Megaron for the 21^st consecutive year.

The event was coordinated by journalist Alexandra Kapeletzi.

In the courtyard of Zappeion, making use of specialized vehicles and equipment made available by “The Smile of the Child,” along with jointly responsible public and volunteer agencies – Mobile Lab of Education, Technology and Information “Odysseas,” Ambulances, rescue vehicles, staff transport vehicles, Mobile Command Center, Mobile Medical Unit “ASKLIPIOS,” Mobile K9 Unit, bicycles, ATVs, motorcycles, Citizen Protection Unit, Mobile Medical Units offering free preventive Dental/ Pediatric/ Ofthalmological/ ENT exams, volunteer operators of the Search and Rescue Team “Thanassis Makris,” volunteers rescuers, canine teams as well as vehicles and logistical equipment from the Hellenic National Defense General Staff and the Army, Navy, Airforce and Police branches, the Coast Guard, the Fire Department, the National Center for Emergency Assistance and Municipal Police.

The President of the Board of Directors of “The Smile of the Child”, Mr. Costas Yannopoulos, welcomed the attendees and thanked them for their presence, as all of them play a vital role in the protection of children. He stated:

“It all began 29 years ago when a young child, my son, left this legacy to me and to you, who joined forces. The “Smile” serves state institutions, as the role of a voluntary Organization is to complement, not to substitute, and the “Smile” does so in the best possible way. Utilize us to the fullest!

It has always been our aim to collaborate with the authorities, to make our know-how, human resources and logistical equipment available to them, so that ultimately the recipients of all of this are our fellow citizens.   

Today’s international meeting highlights Greece, a pioneering country in the management of cases of missing children as well as adults, who are at risk, and that is why all of us who participate should be here.

I warmly thank all those that are with us today, taking part in this enormous effort.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the KOTSOVOLOS company, Grand Sponsor of this Event, as well as our important supporters.”

In his speech, Mr. Ioannis Lambropoulos, Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection, stated: “I convey the greetings of the Minister. It is an honor for me to be with you. I wish you good health and hope you will continue your wonderful work, saving lives. Every child that disappears is our child, and that is how we must all see him or her. Greek society is aware of the issue, thanks to your efforts. Today we are all here with the mutual goal of contributing to society.”

In his speech, Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos, Deputy Minister of Mental Health, stated: “The work of The Smile is multi-faceted and the actions of the Organization are not limited to the field of Missing Persons. We have been collaborating for a long time with “The Smile of the Child,” which came to fill in the gaps. As an organized society, we owe it a great deal!”

On behalf of the Hellenic Police, the Chief Lieutenant General, Mr. Dimitrios Mallios, stated: “It is important for us to talk about this social problem, which affects our entire society. Missing children are extremely vulnerable and run many serious risks. It is crucial for parents, in case of a missing child, to contact and inform the Hellenic Police immediately and without delay. The Police will aid The Smile and, of course, will continue our close collaboration.”

On behalf of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Second Vice Admiral, Mr. Fotios Kiamos, stated: “We work closely with “The Smile of the Child,” and this collaboration has measurable benefits. Every child that is saved justifies our work.”

The Event concluded with the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between “The Smile of the Child” and the voluntary search and rescue team (Hellenic Association of Search & Rescue Volunteers of Attica) - DELTA Rescue Team – the Crisis Management Team – the Rescue Team of Evoia SAR 312 – FetesClub 4x4 – Hellenic Rescue Team

During the Meeting, the following were shown:

• Testimony from the professional staff of the Organization’s National Center for Missing Children and Adults, in which they narrate unique true stories of missing persons. 
• Recorded messages from the Organization’s international partners.
• Recorded messages from young students at the nursery school “Lilipoupoli,” dedicated to missing children.

You can listen to the recorded messages here: https://hamogelo-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/nikosyannopoulos_hamogelo_gr/EsXESKnLA6dNk4kN21lbzpEBk1ELRs4sH5O2Uh23rtebOA?e=5OeK4p

Statistics of “The Smile of the Child”:

The basic profile of a missing child in Greece is:

• adolescent girl of Greek origin
• 1^st cause of disappearance: relationship with family
• 2^nd cause of disappearance: relationship with the opposite sex

In 2024

• “The Smile of the Child” managed 1 child disappearance every 2 days (247 requests for 214 children)
• For 26 children, activation of Amber Alert Hellas
• For 24 children, mobilization of Search and Rescue Team “Thanassis Makris”
• Preventive and awareness-raising actions with 770 students, 503 parents and guardians, 230 teachers

1. “The Smile of the Child” managed 1 adult disappearance every 2 days (164 requests for 164 adults)
2. For 77 adults, activation of Missing Alert Hellas
3. For 27 adults, mobilization of Search and Rescue Team “Thanassis Makris”

1^st quarter of 2025

• “The Smile of the Child” managed 1 child disappearance every 2 days (58 requests for 48 children)
• For 7 children, activation of Amber Alert Hellas
• For 1 child, mobilization of Search and Rescue Team “Thanassis Makris”
• Preventive and awareness-raising actions with 230 students, 146 parents and guardians, 75 teachers

• “The Smile of the Child” managed 1 adult disappearance every 2 days (47 requests for 49 adults)
• For 26 adults, activation of Missing Alert Hellas
• For 7 adults,  mobilization of Search and Rescue Team “Thanassis Makris”

Statistics of the Hellenic Police:

Statistics on missing domestic minors

• Missing: 321 (117 boys – 204 girls)
• Found: 301 (11 boys – 191 girls)
• Still being sought: 20 (7 boys – 13 girls)

Statistics on missing unaccompanied minors

• Missing: 2,673  (2.596 boys – 77 girls)
• Found: 1,118 (1.062 boys – 56 girls)
• Still being sought: 1,555 (1,534 boys – 21 girls)

Statistics from the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC):

Every year, it is estimated that …

• In Australia, 20.000 children disappear
• In Canada, 45.288 children disappear
• In Germany, 100.000 children disappear
• In India, 96.000 children disappear
• In Jamaica, 1.984 children disappear
• In Russia, 45.000 children disappear
• In Spain, 20.000 children disappear
• In the United Kingdom, 112.853 children disappear
• In the USA, 460.000 children disappear

Statistics from Missing Children Europe (MCE):

• In 2024 throughout Europe, over 120.000 calls were made to the European Hotline for Missing Children 116000
• Every year in Europe, 250.000 missing children are reported to Police Authorities

The event was translated into Greek Sign Language by interpreters Androniki Xanthopoulou and Ourania Anastasiadou from the National Foundation for the Deaf, in the context of the cooperation agreement that was signed with “The Smile of the Child.” 

You can see photographs of the event here: https://hamogelo-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/nikosyannopoulos_hamogelo_gr/EtwbApPtHVVKlsnbOpWXbzgBJz3hLf9NF8ek_d4SNZDJfg?e=bfq0UO

GRAND SPONSOR OF THE EVENT

• KOTSOVOLOS

SUPPORTERS OF THE EVENT

• AIIC – INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONFERENCE INTERPRETERS, AND INTERPRETERS NORA KAMBA AND NIKOLA ZOUVANI
• ANAIS CATERING
• BRINKS HELLAS
• EVENTORA
• PHOTOSHOP COMPANY
• XLARGE PRINTERS
• ATHENS NEWS AGENCY
• AVGERINOS BALLOONS