Mun Alert for missing children launched
Staff Reporter :
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday launched Bangladesh’s first national emergency alert system for missing and abducted children, introducing a 24/7 toll-free helpline aimed at speeding up recovery efforts.
Alongside this initiative, a 24/7 toll-free helpline ‘13219’ is being officially introduced to receive information related to missing children across the country. The system, “Mun (Missing Urgent Notification) Alert,” is named after five-year-old Muntaha Akter, who was abducted from Kanaighat in Sylhet on 3 March 2024 and whose body was recovered a week later.
According to data released by Police Headquarters, an average of at least three child abductions occurred every day across the country in 2024, while 29per cent of abducted children could not be rescued.
CID Chief Additional Inspector General Sibgat Ullah made the disclosure at a press briefing in its headquarters on Tuesday.
The MUN Alert system has been developed under the leadership of the Missing Children Cell of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Police, with technical and coordination support from the Zero Missing Children Platform and international collaboration from the Amber Alert for Bangladesh team.
The initiative draws inspiration from the globally recognised AMBER Alert system, first launched in the United States following the 1996 abduction and murder of child Amber Hagerman.
Similar systems are now in place across Europe and in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, China, Nigeria, Kenya and Pakistan.
International research shows that the first few hours after a child goes missing are critical, and timely, verified alerts significantly increase the chances of safe recovery.
In the context of Bangladesh, tragic incidents including the disappearance and murder of five-year-old Muntaha Akhter in Sylhet in 2024, have underscored the urgent need for a fast, integrated and technology-driven response mechanism.
Under the MUN Alert system, when there is reasonable suspicion that a child is missing or abducted, the CID will issue an emergency alert based on verified information.
The alert may be disseminated through an official web portal and mobile app, online and offline media, social media platforms, digital billboards, mobile SMS or cell broadcasting, and other technology-based channels to ensure widespread public awareness and participation.
Authorities emphasised that the dignity, safety and privacy of the child will remain paramount throughout the process.
Members of the public can report information about missing children through the national emergency service 999, the Missing Children Cell hotline (01320017060), or the newly launched toll-free helpline 13219.
The authority to verify information, assess risk levels, and issue, suspend or withdraw alerts will rest solely with the Missing Children Cell of the CID.
Where necessary, Yellow Notices may be issued through INTERPOL in cases involving risks of cross-border movement or child trafficking.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)-the organization that manages the global Amber Alert system-and Meta (Facebook), working closely with the CID and the Zero Missing Children Platform.
Stakeholders expressed strong optimism that the launch of MUN Alert will establish a state-led, technology-based and integrated national framework for rescuing missing children, significantly strengthening child protection and access to justice in Bangladesh.
