SHOCKING / 120 children go missing every year in Albania, 11 still missing without a trace

Around 120 children are reported missing every year in Albania, while 11 of them have remained unaccounted for for years. The alarm was raised by the National Missing Children Hotline ALO 116 000 and the National Children’s Helpline ALO 116 111, on the occasion of the International Day of Missing Children.

According to data compiled from official reports of the State Police for the period 2020–2024, a total of 576 cases of missing or runaway children have been registered in Albania. In 2020 alone, 127 cases were reported; 133 in 2021; 98 in 2022; 128 in 2023; and 90 in 2024.

Meanwhile, 11 children remain missing for many years, leaving their families in long-standing uncertainty and distress. The list of reported names includes Bleona Mata, Azize Mirlak, Jasmina Jasharaj, Jonuz Luga, Julian Cela, Juliana Hoxha, Mateo Bejaj, Mitat Ibrahimi, Ndue Nikolla, Violeta Nikolla, and Xhevair Gezdari.

In a public statement, ALO 116 000 and ALO 116 111 called for every reported case of a missing child to be treated with the highest priority and for immediate response from relevant institutions.

“Every reported case of a missing child must be treated as a top priority through immediate cooperation between the State Police, child protection structures, schools, social services, and the community,” the statement said.

The organizations have also raised concerns about the high number of children identified in situations of economic exploitation and abuse. According to published data, between 2021 and April 2026, there were 1,431 reported cases of exploited children, while the total number of affected children reaches at least 1,680.

Of these, 701 are boys, 612 are girls, while 367 cases had no clear gender identification. According to ALO 116 000 and ALO 116 111, these figures show that many children in Albania continue to be exposed to trafficking, sexual exploitation, manipulation, violence, and other forms of abuse.

“Children living or working on the streets remain among the most vulnerable categories and require early identification, effective protection, and coordinated institutional intervention,” the statement adds.

In their public appeal, the organizations also call for strengthening rapid response mechanisms and increasing public awareness regarding missing and at-risk children.

“The disappearance of a child is not only a family tragedy, but a shared social and institutional responsibility. Every child has the right to be safe, protected, and with their family,” the statement concludes.

According to Missing Children Europe, more than 250,000 children are reported missing every year in Europe, making child protection and rapid institutional response a priority for every country.

"KORÇA BOOM"