Ankara: A senior UN official said Friday that there is credible evidence some Syrians who disappeared during the country's war are still alive, urging immediate action as efforts expand to locate hundreds of thousands of missing people.

According to Anadolu Agency, Karla Quintana, chair of the UN-established Independent Institution for Missing Persons in Syria, stated at the TRT World Forum 2025 that there is 'verifiable and credible information that some of the missing are alive,' with some potentially victims of sexual slavery or human trafficking. The institute is investigating several 'lines of inquiry,' including disappearances related to the Syrian regime, missing children, missing migrants, and individuals abducted by ISIS (Daesh).

Quintana highlighted the progress made in accessing Syria for the search and noted the importance of international collaboration in the effort. 'I would like to say that 10 months ago, we would not even be able to think about going to Syria to look for the missing after the fall of the regime,' she said. 'Now we are able to enter Syria, and we are looking for hundreds of thousands of missing Syrians.'

The search initiative is being strengthened by cooperation between national and international entities. Quintana emphasized the need for coordination between Syrian authorities, civil society, and UN bodies. The institute works closely with Syria's National Commission for the Search of the Missing, headed by Rita Yalhi, and maintains regular contact with the Foreign Ministry in Damascus.

Quintana also stressed the role of advanced technology and forensic science in identifying both the living and the deceased. She noted the critical importance of building trust among all parties involved, stating that cooperation is essential for the success of the mission.

Addressing the urgency of the situation, Quintana warned that delays could prevent families from ever learning the fate of their loved ones. 'We are already late in looking for the missing, not only in Syria but all over the world,' she said, highlighting the need for prompt action.

Finally, Quintana underscored the importance of cooperation with Turkey and neighboring countries where Syrians have lived or passed through during displacement. 'We need to engage with Turkey and neighboring states where Syrians have gone through or stayed in the countries in order to get information,' she said, emphasizing the collective nature of the endeavor.