The OMPB is mandated to establish a comprehensive Official Registry of Missing Persons in Bougainville, and create a humanitarian-based search mechanism – that is, a mechanism that is extrajudicial in nature – with a sole purpose of supporting families clarify the fate and whereabouts of their missing.

The search efforts involve coordination with government and civil society institutions, while a secure data management system is being implemented to protect sensitive and confidential information from unauthorized use. Potential gravesites are to be mapped and protected with the support of authorities.

The OMPB aims to search for missing persons, and if deceased, to recover and return their remains to the affected families. Counselling and psychosocial support is offered to families of the missing to accompany them throughout this process.