Republika Srpska (RS) has launched the "Find Me" system, designed for urgent public alerts in cases of missing minors. The system was established through a partnership between the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) and other key institutions and organizations, including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, RTRS, and the telecommunications company M:tel.

Contracts have also been signed with 32 radio and television stations across RS to support the initiative.

“This system is the result of intensive teamwork by MUP members and the inter-ministerial working group of the RS Government,” said RS Interior Minister Sinisa Karan. “Its success will be measured by every life saved.”

Karan emphasized that MUP has the capacity, expertise, and determination to protect minors effectively.

Regional collaboration and global inspiration

Developed in cooperation with Serbia's MUP, RS is the first region outside Serbia to implement such a system. The “Find Me” system is modeled after the Amber Alert system in the United States, which provides urgent alerts to the public when a child goes missing. Since 2018, RS has been an active member of the NGO “Amber Alert Europe,” which connects numerous countries to share expertise in safeguarding children. However, this membership did not enable RS to independently issue public emergency alerts for missing minors.

RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic offered to extend the initiative to other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring countries.

“I am ready to provide all our resources to implement this system in the other entity and the surrounding countries. Only when everyone has such a system can it become even more effective,” Viskovic said, stressing the importance of rapid information and action in cases of missing children.

Accelerated efforts after notable case

The push to establish the system intensified following the case of missing Danka Ilic in Serbia. The initiative was made possible by earlier amendments to the RS Law on Police and Internal Affairs.

The “Find Me” system represents a significant step forward in safeguarding minors and enhancing regional cooperation to address cases of missing children.