Global InformationLouisa Akavi information
Louisa Akavi is a New Zealand Red Cross nurse and recipient of the rarely awarded Florence Nightingale Medal. Akavi was kidnapped in Syria in October 2013 and subsequently taken hostage by Islamic State forces in May 2014. Akavi's captivity remained a tightly held secret by the New Zealand Government and media for the past five years. On 15 March 2019, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) disclosed her identity following the fall of the Islamic State's last stronghold in Syria.[1][2][3][4] New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed that the New Zealand Government is still trying to rescue and bring her home.[2][5][6]
- ^ Watkins, Tracey (15 April 2019). "The secret hostage". Stuff. Archived from the original on 20 May 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Red cross on nurse captured by IS in Syria: 'We call on whoever is holding Louisa to release her immediately'". Radio New Zealand. 15 April 2019. Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ Davidson, Helen (14 April 2019). "New Zealand nurse Louisa Akavi, kidnapped in Syria, may be alive, Red Cross says". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ Callimachi, Rukmini; Goldman, Adam (14 April 2019). "ISIS Kidnapped Her 5 Years Ago. The Red Cross Thinks She May Still Be Alive". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 20 May 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ Cooke, Henry (14 April 2019). "Government is still trying to bring Kiwi nurse Louisa Akavi home". Stuff. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Cheng, Derek (15 April 2019). "Kidnapped Kiwi nurse Louisa Akavi's family: 'We just want her home'". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2019.