Liza Alert

Liza Alert (Лиза Алерт) is a nonprofit search-and-rescue volunteer organization to search for missing people. It is also known as the Liza Alert search-and-rescue team.

Liza Alert is more than a 24/7 response alert system. It not only carries out the functions of AMBER Alert in the former USSR, but also directs volunteer forces on active searches for all missing people.

Liza Alert origin
Liza Alert takes its name from 5-year-old Liza Fomkina. In 2010 Liza died of hypothermia in the Russian wilderness after a 9 day unsuccessful search mission. The community was born less than 21 days after Liza's death.

The community isn't directly related to the law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. The main part of the search takes place in the former USSR region and surrounding areas. Priority is given to the search for children and the elderly, and people lost in the natural environment. The community does not provide paid search services; searches are free of charge and always executed by volunteers.

Liza Alert accomplishments


Since 2010 Liza Alert has continually been taking part in searches for missing persons in Russia, famous or not. One of the most resonant events was the search of mathematician and University of London professor Alexey Chervonenkis.

Philip N. Howard, Director of the Center for Media, Data and Society in the School of Public Policy at Central European University, writes about Liza Alert as a form of civic project, which stands parallel with Russian Government. Media reviews, however, suggest, that it might not be true. as the performance of Liza Alert is high due to the interaction with the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Liza Alert media and public support


In 2013, State Duma deputy Olga Yepifanova had made a mistake, naming voluntary movement interfering and unorganized. In fact, the politician had confused Liza Alert with a completely different foundation.