116000 telephone number is the European telephone number/hotline number reserved by the European Commission for missing children.
Through this number, parents faced with a missing child in their country or in another European country, will increasingly have access to the life saving support they need, as the number is connected to the national organization specialized in dealing with these cases. The European telephone number gives access to the local, national organization, specialized in missing children.
As research shows the first hours after the disappearance of a child are of vital importance. Therefore having such "an easy to remember" telephone number at the disposal of parents across Europe is extremely important for an immediate action of the responsible local authorities.
The number is currently operational in the following10 European countries:
- Belgium
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- The Netherlands