Former Hostage and Hostage Family Interactions with Non-Governmental Organizations

Returning hostages and their families reported the need for additional guidance and support during and after a hostage-taking event. During a hostage-taking event, several families sought help from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for additional support that the U.S. government was unable to provide. Although some former hostages and their families were open about sharing which NGOs were helpful with their case, several families respectfully declined to share to what extent the organizations helped out with their case. Some of the most frequently reported organizations that participants interacted with were: International Committee of the Red Cross, Reporters Without Borders, Committee to Protect Journalists, Hostage US, and JWFLF. In addition, some families reported receiving assistance from academic institutions and other regional experts in the field.

At the time of their relative’s captivity, family members reported utilizing NGOs to:

• Enhance communication with the captors
• Raise awareness of their relative’s case and/or bring attention to the U.S. government¹
• Identify and form foreign and domestic contacts
• Obtain additional geopolitical context
• Connect with other hostage families
• Receive financial and mental health support

After a hostage-taking event, life can undeniably be very difficult for the returning hostage. “Ordinary daily tasks can quickly become overwhelming as you try to adjust to your new normal,” one former hostage said. Several former hostages reported the necessity of ongoing mental health support, since trauma can persist for a number of years after captivity. Another important issue hostages face after returning home is learning how to deal with the financial devastation that occurred while they were in captivity. Some former hostages reported having bad credit due to missed payments on taxes, credit cards, and other bills, as well as defaulting on loans—all of which occurred while they were held against their will. Not knowing how to navigate these financial issues was an experience that was widely reported among former hostages and family members who committed to helping their relative get back on their feet.

It was also reported that some former hostages have been unsuccessful in obtaining and/or maintaining a job due to persistent trauma from their captivities and from being overwhelmed by unwelcome attention received from the media and public. Not only can this impede their recovery progress, but it also furthers the decline of their already devastated finances. Some former hostages seek assistance in obtaining disability benefits while they try to recover from the effects of their hostage-taking experience. Some hostage victims reported suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Hostage victims and their supportive family members have requested that former hostages receive the same level of mental health support as U.S. veterans who suffer from PTSD, citing the fact that the perpetrators of the kidnappings are often members of designated terrorist organizations, the similarity of the trauma to combat stress, and the experience of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs with PTSD cases.

Non-governmental organizations continue to have an important role in helping hostages and their families both during a hostage-taking event and after the return of a hostage. Former hostages reported needing continued mental health support and financial assistance after a hostage-taking experience.

Overall, continued mental health and emotional support for both former hostages and family members, including the former hostage’s children, was a large concern for most of the participants. In addition to the safe return of a hostage being the primary concern, family members requested more support in having the ability to take control over their relative’s financial holdings through legal and financial services if their relative has not returned home after years of captivity.

Not all families reported obtaining assistance from an NGO but did recognize, however, the important role NGOs play in assisting in a hostage case. One family member commented:

In retrospect, I wish I had availed myself of the support and services of NGOs such as the James W. Foley Foundation and Hostage US and perhaps other NGOs for additional support and information. I was overwhelmed during this ordeal and felt that additional players would further confuse and pressure me. Conflicting advice and information would put me over the edge. I don't know for sure how the NGOs that did reach out to us could overcome these fears and anxieties, but would hopefully suggest they take this into consideration with other hostage families.