May 25th: International Missing Children's Day
25 May 2026
Athens, May 25, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
May 25th: International Missing Children's Day
According to statistics from the National Center for Missing Children and Adults of “The Smile of the Child” in Greece, two children go missing every three days, with the most common causes being relationships with the opposite sex, relationships with peers, and intra-family relationships.
“The Smile of the Child” has joined forces for the 22nd year with all relevant institutional and operational bodies to present a comprehensive network of services for the prevention and proper operational management of every case of missing children and adults, a model throughout Europe and internationally.
In the presence of the Minister of Citizen Protection, the Organization’s Cooperation Agreement with the Ministry was updated – Expansion of cooperation for the comprehensive management of cases involving violence, abuse, disappearances of children and adults, cybercrime, domestic violence, etc.
According to the Hellenic Police, 4,396 children (698 Greek nationals and 3,689 foreign nationals) went missing in 2025; of these, 2,787 (63.4%) were located, while 1,609 (36.6%) remain missing.
The testimonies
of 24-year-old Eva, who was abducted 20 years ago, located abroad, and returned safely to her family thanks to the activation of “Smile”
by Diamantis Kararigas, the father of 16-year-old Lydia who took her own life for reasons similar to those that lead to hundreds of teenage runaways every year
were shocking.
“The Smile of the Child” is participating in the pan-European Blue For Hope campaign. Today, 10 European countries are lighting up Europe in blue, as a symbolic gesture that when a child goes missing, the search NEVER stops
Athens, May 25, 2026
On the occasion of International Missing Children’s Day and under the coordination of journalist Alexandra Kapeletzis, “The Smile of the Child” presented today, at its Multipurpose Center in Koropi, the work and new initiatives of its National Center for Missing Children and Adults, at an event attended by representatives of the government, the Hellenic Police, volunteer organizations, international partners, and citizens.
The event began with a presentation of the operational resources of all the relevant institutional and volunteer organizations, accompanied by the Navy Band, followed by speeches, presentations of statistical data, and the signing of important cooperation agreements.
The President of the Organization’s Board of Directors, Costas Yannopoulos, stated: “We are proud of the partnerships we have developed. First and foremost with the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, the Hellenic Army General Staff, the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, the Hellenic Navy General Staff, the Fire Department, the Coast Guard, dozens of volunteer organizations, and Municipal Police forces throughout Greece. Today we are presenting something unique on an international scale. We still have a long way to go, but in any case, we have developed a safe framework for every child and adult. Every two days, we handle the disappearance of three children, but we must focus on the causes—on all the factors that lead teenagers to run away. We must invest in prevention. I warmly thank the Minister of Citizen Protection, who is with us today, and through the renewal of the Cooperation Agreement, we are expanding and strengthening our long-standing and meaningful partnership.
In closing, I must say that nothing brings us greater satisfaction today than the testimony of 24-year-old Eva. A young woman who is now excelling abroad, but who disappeared 20 years ago, was located abroad, and after a tremendous struggle, we finally brought her back safely to her family. Eva is a shining example of why we must never give up, why we must never become complacent, and why we must constantly develop new partnerships and collaborations to address every disappearance promptly and effectively.
I urge us all to listen to Lydia’s father, who honors us today by sharing his own experience, highlighting the common factors that can lead a young person to an act that will endanger their life, whether by running away or by taking their own life. Prevention, prevention, prevention—please keep that in mind.”
Upon signing the Cooperation Agreement, the Minister of Citizen Protection stated:
“The sensitive work carried out by The Smile of the Child compels us to be ever closer to you, more active, and more responsible. We have made a great effort recently through the substantial reestablishment of a series of structures, which are currently being developed within the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Hellenic Police. The role of the country’s agencies dedicated to serving the public is very important. I want to assure you that this path in your work runs parallel to ours. We are with you. We are closely connected to this work that you have undertaken, and we pledge that, all together, as a modern, civilized society that loves its children, we will continue this effort.”
The event was attended, among others, by former Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff Konstantinos Floros, representatives of the Chiefs of the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA), the Hellenic Army General Staff (GES), the Hellenic Air Force General Staff (GEA), the Hellenic Navy General Staff (GEN), the Fire Service (P.S.), the Coast Guard (L.S.), the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, representatives of volunteer operational agencies, Municipal Police forces, etc.
The event concluded with an operational simulation of a search for a missing person, utilizing drones, K-9 teams, and the Organization’s Mobile Command Center, as well as messages from the young students of the Lilipoupoli Preschool.
Major Sponsor of the Event
KOTSOVOLOS
Supporters
DIRECTION BUSINESS NETWORK
POLICHROMO
CTX
Detailed presentation and statistics from the organization “The Smile of the Child” here
Detailed data from the Hellenic Police here
The video of 24-year-old Eva here
Photos from the event here
Watch the entire event here
For more information:
The Smile of the Child
