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- <center> This post is part of a series of three in which we will answer some of the questions that have come to us more frequently and in which we will try to answer the general question: Why join Milkbox?</center>

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<center>https://s14.postimg.org/mq1nmb82p/Why_Milkbox.png</center>

> A few days ago, the Project Milkbox **published its first post** in this three-part series: [Why The Name Milkbox?](https://steemit.com/projectmilkbox/@milkbox.info/why-milkbox-part-i-why-our-name) We encourage all who are interested in this special project to go and read that post. It explains the essence of our cause and leads right into this article. Today we take a closer look at more of the "What" part of the equation. Namely, what help can the Project Milkbox offer where current Global Search & Rescue Systems fall short? Are you ready? Let's get going!

## <center>What global systems took the place of the first milk box carton campaign?</center>
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While the very first milk box campaign for missing children went a long way to bring about awareness, it also had a negative impact on communities. Imagine the fear that awareness without knowledge can bring. Children were missing, but no one knew how many. What was the scale of the issue?

Today we know that it's not just children that are missing but people of all ages, races, and sexes. We know the scale is large and that numbers of missing people continue to grow. 

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https://s14.postimg.org/lmm4o5hz5/Missing_kids.png

</div>The original milk box campaign gave way to improved computer systems as the 1990's rolled into a new millennium. Now we have databases full of names and government programs such as NamUs. The United States Department of Justice implements [NamUs](https://www.findthemissing.org/), the National Missing Persons Data System. 

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Individual states have their own Search and Rescue programs that can access the national database. Anyone with a cell phone, radio, or television knows what an Amber Alert is in the USA. We've made incredible improvements compared to the old milk carton technique, but have we come far enough?

Outside the United States, the global community has adopted the [ICMP](https://www.icmp.int/about-us/) or International Commission of Missing Persons. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are examples of other organizations that work hard in countries outside the USA. 

## <center>There are places around the world without a program at all!</center>
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In the international arena, there's is only so much that these organizations can accomplish. Taking into account the complexity and enormity of the issue, resources are never enough. Latinoamerica is one place in particular that carries the unbearable burden of missing loved ones. Often without any hope of finding them other than a silent prayer at night. 
 
## <center>How effective are the systems currently in place?</center>
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We have certainly made progress by leaps and bounds compared to those old milk box carton days. Our current Project Milkbox applauds every outside effort to find missing loved ones. Just the same, we recognize that there are limitations to these systems.

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https://s14.postimg.org/e6mv2f75d/indian-1158807_640.jpg

</div>In the USA, police jurisdictions typically impose a 72-hour rule. That is to say that we cannot even report a person missing until 3 days have passed. We do have the Amber Alert and other processes to fast-track a search in extreme cases. 

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Looking back at missing person cases in the USA, we can see that our programs have had success. In 2012 there were 661,000 missing person cases. By the end of the year, 2,079 cases remained unsolved. That means about 659,000 cases were solved. Most cases are a misunderstanding or a runaway that returns home and are quickly resolved. 

However, the ones that aren't solved in a timely matter have a very low chance of a positive outcome. Then there are the thousands that remain lost. There is no way to quantify the emotional anguish that families must endure when a loved one goes missing. There is also no known way to equate the number of lives affected by such a loss. Families branch out into communities and everyone loses. 

When we force ourselves to think about geographical locations like Venezuela where there isn't a missing person's program at all, we are able to catch a glimpse of the suffering that ensues. We may question the 72-hour rule in the USA, but imagine not having anyone to call for help at all. Ever!!

## Here comes Project Milkbox!
<center>https://s14.postimg.org/lmm4o9kkx/Missing_Milkbox.png</center>
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**Project Milkbox** delights in every global effort to find missing children, family members, and loved ones. As human beings that care for the welfare of all people around the globe, we have always felt that our efforts can never be enough. 

>*Then we started thinking.* 

We have the power of Steemit that continues to connect people from all walks of life and from most corners of the globe. On top of that, we have the power of the BitShares Decentralized Exchange. That allows us the freedom to fund all sorts of different initiatives and to reward those who go above and beyond the call of duty. 

We also have the speed and the permanent record of blockchain technology. Instead of waiting 72 hours, we can communicate reports of missing/found people in a matter of seconds. From one end of the world to another. Every report goes on a ledger that is the blockchain, which serves to give us a permanent record of events. 

The more people that join our ranks, the more powerful and effective our search and rescue attempts will be. In the coming days, weeks, and months we will continue to share our story in more detail. We encourage you to join us now, as we will put to use the expertise of everyone who wants to be involved. We hope to see you on our Discord server in just a few moments.   
<center>https://s14.postimg.org/fcm9nlvtd/Project_Milkbox.png</center>
## <center>You can join us now!</center>
Get your registration early and more information about the project on our temporary website:http://projectmilkbox.com/

Or contact us at Discord:https://discord.gg/dsHcu6

Sources:

https://www.findthemissing.org/en

https://oag.ca.gov/missing/search

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2017/09/04/missing-kids-milk-carton-campaign-outcome/627165001/

https://www.icmp.int/about-us/

https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/missing_persons vG/image.png)

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