The IIMP is mandated to provide adequate support to victims, including survivors and the families of those missing. Its support programming will be closely linked to its search programming, since some forms of support to families who are going through the difficult process of searching for their loved ones are necessary within a victim-centred approach and to uphold the principle of ‘do no harm.’  

The IIMP is in a preparatory phase and has not yet launched its support programs, but in future these may include:  

• Mental health and psycho-social services – directly and/or through a referral system – for victims during their interactions with the institution to search for missing persons; 

• Issuing documents regarding the status of missing persons, sometimes known as ‘certificates of absence,’ to help relatives address legal and other challenges related to a person’s absence and access their rights; 

• Legal awareness raising to help families of missing persons protect themselves from misinformation and extortion during the search process; 

• Developing a referral system for families and survivors to access services to address other needs.  

Families and survivors are spread throughout many countries and have a huge range of economic, health, protection, education and other needs, and the IIMP will not be able to meet all of these needs. It intends to develop referral networks to take advantage of the expertise and existing services provided by other actors to address some of these needs.  

The IIMP may also advocate with states and service providers for recognition of families’ and survivors’ needs in their programming. The IIMP will not be able to provide direct financial assistance to victims. Support activities are likely to develop over time based on the views of victims and changing needs and circumstances.