News
Latest News
news bulletin
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Other News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Beirut
28
o
Bekaa
25
o
Keserwan
28
o
Metn
28
o
Mount Lebanon
24
o
North
29
o
South
28
o
Live
Video
Audio
Schedule
shows
العربية
watching now
Mass
SUBSCRIBE
Home
Notification
Live
Video
Audio
shows
Beirut
28
o
Bekaa
25
o
Keserwan
28
o
Metn
28
o
Mount Lebanon
24
o
North
29
o
South
28
o
News
Programs
The News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Programs
Series
Movies
Documentaries
Variety
Comedy
Talk Show
News Bulletin
Sports
Breaking News
Latest News
Highlighted News
Most Read
Videos
العربية
Watch the latest programs and the latest developments on your favorite screen
Shows
Join millions of followers
Who We Are
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Careers
Channel frequencies
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Red Cross appeals for information on three staff missing in Syria since 2013
Breaking Headlines
15-04-2019 | 03:19
High views
Share
Share
4
min
Red Cross appeals for information on three staff missing in Syria since 2013
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appealed on Sunday for information on the whereabouts of three employees abducted in Syria more than five years ago and last known to have been held by Islamic State.
Breaking its silence on the case, the independent aid agency identified the three as Louisa Akavi, a nurse from New Zealand, and Syrian drivers Alaa Rajab and Nabil Bakdounes.
U.S.-backed forces proclaimed the capture of Islamic State's last territory in Syria last month, eliminating its rule over a caliphate which it had proclaimed in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
"We call on anyone with information to please come forward. If our colleagues are still being held, we call for their immediate and unconditional release," the ICRC said in a statement.
"Our latest credible information indicates that Louisa was alive in late 2018. The ICRC has never been able to learn more details about Alaa and Nabil, and their fate is not known."
The three were travelling in a Red Cross convoy delivering supplies to medical facilities in Idlib, northwestern Syria, when it was stopped by armed men on Oct. 13, 2013. Four other people abducted with them were released the next day.
"Following the fall of the last territory held by Islamic State group, we fear there is an extra risk of losing track of Louisa, though we remain hopeful this period will instead open new opportunities for us to learn more about her whereabouts and well-being," the ICRC said.
Akavi, now 62, joined the ICRC in 1988 and worked in hotspots including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Somalia and Sri Lanka.
She has been held longer than anyone in ICRC's 156-year history, said Dominik Stillhart, ICRC director of operations worldwide.
New Zealand's government said it was searching for Akavi, who successive administrations had previously asked media not to name as they feared it would put her at greater risk. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the government had deployed a non-combat team based in Iraq of around twelve people that included special operations personnel.
"This non-combat team was specifically focused on locating Louisa and identifying opportunities to recover her," Peters said in an emailed statement.
"Unfortunately the current whereabouts of Louisa is unknown. However, the New Zealand Government continues to work tirelessly to locate her and bring her to safety."
After being moved by IS forces to Raqqa in 2017, Akavi was seen in Al-Bukamal in late 2018, close to the Syrian-Iraqi border near the Euphrates River, the last concrete information on her whereabouts, Stillhart said.
"What we actually know is that Louisa has been working as a nurse during her abduction which shows her dedication and commitment to the mission and mandate of the Red Cross - caring for people affected by conflict," he said.
REUTERS
Breaking Headlines
Red Cross
Syria
Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
0
World News
2025-05-07
China says tariff talks being held at the request of the United States.
World News
2025-05-07
China says tariff talks being held at the request of the United States.
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-24
LADE election monitor assaulted inside polling station in Ghazieh, South Lebanon
Lebanon News
2025-05-24
LADE election monitor assaulted inside polling station in Ghazieh, South Lebanon
0
News Bulletin Reports
13:00
Lebanon's Grand Mufti visits Damascus in symbolic shift: Inside Derian's Syria meetings
News Bulletin Reports
13:00
Lebanon's Grand Mufti visits Damascus in symbolic shift: Inside Derian's Syria meetings
0
Lebanon News
2025-07-02
Lebanon's PM Salam pledges cabinet session on waste crisis after Bchannine landfill fire
Lebanon News
2025-07-02
Lebanon's PM Salam pledges cabinet session on waste crisis after Bchannine landfill fire
Videos
d-none hideMe
0
Lebanon News
2025-07-01
Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district
Lebanon News
2025-07-01
Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district
0
Lebanon News
2025-06-10
Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)
Lebanon News
2025-06-10
Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)
0
Lebanon News
2025-06-04
Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties
Lebanon News
2025-06-04
Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-19
President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels
Lebanon News
2025-05-19
President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-15
LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future
Lebanon News
2025-05-15
LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-09
EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-09
EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview
0
Lebanon News
2025-04-23
US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads
Lebanon News
2025-04-23
US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads
Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
1
Lebanon News
11:50
Sources to LBCI: Lebanese Mufti, Syrian President dismiss Israeli claims over land swap deal
Lebanon News
11:50
Sources to LBCI: Lebanese Mufti, Syrian President dismiss Israeli claims over land swap deal
2
Lebanon News
06:18
US Envoy Tom Barrack hails 'historic moment' for Lebanon, urges unity and reform
Lebanon News
06:18
US Envoy Tom Barrack hails 'historic moment' for Lebanon, urges unity and reform
3
News Bulletin Reports
12:48
US envoy Tom Barrack’s message to Lebanon: One country, one people, one army
News Bulletin Reports
12:48
US envoy Tom Barrack’s message to Lebanon: One country, one people, one army
4
News Bulletin Reports
13:00
Lebanon's Grand Mufti visits Damascus in symbolic shift: Inside Derian's Syria meetings
News Bulletin Reports
13:00
Lebanon's Grand Mufti visits Damascus in symbolic shift: Inside Derian's Syria meetings
5
Lebanon News
12:28
Lebanon's President tells UK Foreign Secretary Israeli occupation hinders state authority
Lebanon News
12:28
Lebanon's President tells UK Foreign Secretary Israeli occupation hinders state authority
6
Lebanon News
02:22
PM Salam condemns armed displays in Beirut, orders legal action
Lebanon News
02:22
PM Salam condemns armed displays in Beirut, orders legal action
7
Lebanon News
07:09
LBCI sources: Saudi envoy departs Lebanon after pushing for arms control and reforms
Lebanon News
07:09
LBCI sources: Saudi envoy departs Lebanon after pushing for arms control and reforms
8
News Bulletin Reports
13:05
Israel, Hamas near agreement: Could a prisoner deal be the first step toward ending Gaza war?
News Bulletin Reports
13:05
Israel, Hamas near agreement: Could a prisoner deal be the first step toward ending Gaza war?
Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
We use
cookies
We use
cookies
to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More