Search for war-related missing persons: applications from Ukrainians in Italy, Spain and Portugal are now being accepted
The war in Ukraine has resulted in numerous human losses, and one of the most painful problems is the issue of missing persons. Many Ukrainians have lost contact with their relatives due to hostilities, evacuations or even illegal deportation to Russia and Belarus. Searching for missing persons is a complex task that requires coordination of efforts both within the country and at the international level. In response to these challenges, the Ukrainian authorities, together with international organizations, are introducing new technologies and programs to help families reunite with missing loved ones. One of these initiatives is the collection of DNA samples from Ukrainian citizens abroad and the Reunite Ukraine mobile application.
Collection of DNA samples in Europe
The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), realizing the scale of the problem, launched a campaign to collect DNA samples among Ukrainians who lost contact with their relatives during the war. This initiative covers such European countries as Italy, Spain and Portugal, where large communities of Ukrainian refugees currently live. The campaign aims to help identify the bodies or locate people who went missing during the war.
The collection of DNA samples among Ukrainians who lost contact with their relatives during the war is an extremely important initiative aimed at solving one of the most painful problems related to the search for missing persons.
Ukrainians who have lost contact with relatives can apply for DNA sample selection until November 15, 2024. This gives people a real chance to join the search process, hoping for positive results in the identification of their loved ones.
The DNA selection procedure is simple and affordable. People who want to join this initiative have the opportunity to apply through a special online form or call the ICMP hotline in Ukraine. After that, their DNA samples will be included in a common database for further identification of individuals who could not be identified due to lack of relevant data or extensive damage to the bodies.
The collected DNA samples will be an invaluable help in the process of establishing the identity of missing people or identifying bodies that have been found in war zones but have not yet been identified. The war has created a massive crisis with thousands of missing persons, so efforts like this are critical to continue search operations and help families who are grieving and want answers.
To date, according to official data, there are more than 49,000 persons, including 1,769 children, in the Unified Register of Missing Persons. Artur Dobroserdov, Commissioner for Issues of Missing Persons under Special Circumstances, announced this on the air of the “Yedini Novyni” telethon. According to him, in total, the Unified Register of Missing Persons has about 59,000 records, which include people who are wanted, those who have already been searched, as well as records of unidentified bodies, which are under investigation and examinations.
“Currently, more than 49,000 people are wanted as missing persons under special circumstances. Almost 8,000 people have already been searched, that is, their location has been established, they have returned to the territory of Ukraine or are in countries with which we have active international legal relations agreement. They are safe, free.” – noted Dobroserdov.
He also stated that some of the people who were found are identified bodies that died as a result of military aggression.
“According to the register records, we know that 1,769 wanted persons are children under the age of 18,” – emphasized Dobroserdov.
The identification of missing persons remains one of the most difficult and emotionally difficult parts of a humanitarian crisis. Many bodies found in the war zone remain unidentified, which complicates the process of investigations and return to their relatives. Given the scale of the problem, the collected DNA samples will be an important element in recovering information about missing persons.
This initiative uses technology to help families find their loved ones or get the answers they’ve been searching for for months or even years. The International Commission on Missing Persons continues to support search operations, combining the efforts of various countries and bringing new tools to solve this complex and tragic problem.
Reunite Ukraine mobile application
Along with the international efforts, the latest technologies developed to find the missing people play an important role. One of these solutions was the mobile application Reunite Ukraine, created in cooperation between the American company Find My Parent and the National Police of Ukraine. This innovative solution allows free search for missing soldiers, children and civilians who may be in temporarily occupied territories, outside the country or illegally deported.
The main function of the application is the search for missing persons and the reunification of families who have been separated due to hostilities or forced evacuation. The application works very simply: after installing it on the phone of a child or an adult, if a person goes missing, the police receives an immediate signal about the disappearance. This allows you to quickly start search operations, which significantly reduces the reaction time and increases the chances of successful reunification.
The Reunite Ukraine application has already gained recognition among Ukrainian users due to its ease of use and effectiveness. It also helps to solve the problem of deportation and illegal transfer of Ukrainians to the territory of Russia and Belarus, as it simplifies the process of finding people in these countries. Thanks to this technology, relatives get the opportunity to find their loved ones faster and feel safe again.
Initiatives such as the collection of DNA samples and the Reunite Ukraine mobile application testify to the serious efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and the international community in the fight against the problem of missing persons. The use of the latest technologies and international cooperation makes it possible to speed up the process of searching for missing persons, giving families hope for reunification. As the number of war-disappeared persons continues to rise, the implementation of such solutions becomes critical to sustaining humanitarian aid and the safety of citizens.
Thousands of Ukrainian families who were left without contact with loved ones are getting new tools for finding and reuniting, which is an important step in overcoming the consequences of the war. Every day, international and state efforts are aimed at helping Ukrainians to find those who disappeared during the hostilities as soon as possible and to restore peace to their lives.
