Online Desk:
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police has officially announced the launch of the first-ever national-level emergency alert system Missing Urgent Notification (MUN Alert) in Bangladesh to ensure the speedy recovery of missing and abducted children. At the same time, a 24-hour toll-free helpline 13219 has been launched to provide information regarding missing children.
The aim of this initiative is to further strengthen the activities of law enforcement agencies in the case of missing children and ensure immediate participation of the general public. International research and practical experience have shown that the first few hours after a child goes missing are the most critical time in rescuing a child. If a quick and verified alert is disseminated during this time, the chances of the child being safely rescued increase manifold.
The concept of a global emergency child alert system gained importance after the abduction and murder of child Amber Hagerman in the United States in 1996. In this context, AMBER Alert was launched in the United States, which is currently operational in 32 European countries, as well as in Malaysia, Thailand, China, Nigeria, Kenya, and Pakistan under its own framework.
In the context of Bangladesh, the disappearance and murder of five-year-old Muntaha Akhtar in Sylhet in 2024, highlighted the need for a rapid, integrated, and technology-based system to rescue missing children. In light of this reality, the MUN Alert system has been formulated and implemented under the leadership of the CID’s Missing Children Cell and with the technical and coordination support of the Zero Missing Children Platform. The Amber Alert for Bangladesh team is involved in it with international experience and advisory support.
If there is a reasonable fear of a child being missing or abducted under MUN Alert, the CID will issue an emergency alert based on verified information. This alert will be disseminated through the official web portal and mobile app as well as online and offline media, social media, digital billboards and mobile SMS or cell broadcasting as needed. The dignity, safety and privacy of the child will be of utmost importance throughout the entire process.
Any information regarding missing children can be immediately reported to the national emergency service 999, the Missing Children Cell number 01320017060 or the toll-free helpline 13219. The final decision to verify the information received, assess the risk and issue, suspend or withdraw the alert will be in the hands of the Missing Children Cell of CID. If necessary, measures will be taken to issue a Yellow Notice through INTERPOL if there is a risk of child trafficking or crossing international borders.
It is to be noted that this important national initiative is being implemented by the CID and the Zero Missing Children Platform in collaboration with NCMEC (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children), the organization that manages Amber Alert internationally, and Meta (Facebook). Stakeholders expressed hope that the launch of MUN Alert will create a state-led, technology-based, and integrated framework for the rescue of missing children in Bangladesh, which will play an important role in child protection and establishing justice.
