Red Cross nurse captured by Islamic State in Syria in 2013 'may be alive'
Louisa Akavi's status has been kept a secret for fear her life is at risk, but the collapse of IS has raised hopes of finding her.
Monday 15 April 2019 10:15, UK
The Red Cross believes one of its nurses held captive by Islamic State in Syria for almost six years may still be alive.
Louisa Akavi, now 62, was captured in the northwest city of Idlib in 2013, but her missing status has until now been kept a secret for fear her life might be at risk.
The blackout imposed by her employer and the New Zealand government came to an end when The New York Times named the nurse and midwife on Sunday, with hopes raised that the collapse of IS may help find her.
It was reported by the newspaper over the weekend that Ms Akavi may have been seen as recently as December, potentially spotted by two people at a clinic in Sousa - one of the final IS outposts.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has since revealed that there were also reported sightings in 2016 and 2017.
New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said the search was continuing for Ms Avaki, who is of Cook Islands descent and lives in Otaki, a small town north of Wellington.
"We continue to work together (with the Red Cross) to locate and recover her," he said.
"This has been a uniquely complex and difficult case. Louisa went to Syria with the ICRC to deliver humanitarian relief to people suffering as a result of a brutal civil war and IS occupation.
"Where a New Zealander is held by a terrorist organisation, the government takes all appropriate action to recover them. That is exactly what we have done here."
Since being taken captive, it is believed she has been offered for ransom and used as a human shield, but it is hoped she has ultimately been spared because of her medical skills.
Two Syrian drivers working for the Red Cross, Alaa Rajab and Nabil Bakdounes, were also kidnapped at the time.
If Ms Akavi is alive, it would make her the longest-held captive in Red Cross history.
Dominik Stillhart, its director of operations, said she was "a true and compassionate humanitarian".
"We have not spoken publicly before today because from the moment Louisa and the others were kidnapped, every decision we made was to maximise the chances of winning their freedom," he said.
"With Islamic State group having lost the last of its territory, we felt it was now time to speak out."
The New Zealand government is reported to have opposed the decision by the Red Cross to allow The New York Times to identify Ms Akavi, but Mr Stillhart said the organisation feared losing track of her otherwise.
Previous negotiations to secure her release in 2013 and 2014 were unsuccessful.
There was also a planned US special forces raid to free her and other hostages in 2014, but the group was moved by IS just a few hours before.
Mr Stillhart added: "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."