Hostage Aid Worldwide
Hostage Aid Worldwide
Breaking the Chain… Because Tomorrow is Too Late

One on one call with former hostages Request

ABOUT US

Hostage Aid Worldwide is a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and studying hostage-taking and unlawful detention. We maintain the most comprehensive global database of publicly reported hostage and detainee cases and conduct ongoing basic and applied research to analyze trends in arrests, releases, negotiations, and outcomes. Our team—including staff researchers, fellows, and interns—produces data-driven insights that inform policy, support advocacy, and shape international responses. Research is at the heart of everything we do, guiding our operations, publications, and partnerships.

Values

HOPE – FREEDOM
DISCRETION – RESILIENCE

TRUST – COMPASSION
COURAGE – RELIABILITY

NOT LEAVING
ANYONE BEHIND

APOLITICAL

President's Message

As a former hostage who was kidnapped for almost 4 years in Iran, I have experienced first hand, the pain, suffering and betrayal that comes with it, but have also known the value of unwavering compassion and support, as well as the real meaning of hope, strength and freedom.

I pray that time will dull the pain of the memories that this tragic incident brings back; this nightmare that I wouldn’t wish even on my enemies. I spent 18 months blindfolded, and had several out of body experiences in the weeks that followed my kidnapping. I suffered endless cycles of hunger strikes to protest the many injustices I was put through. My only crime was accepting an official invitation from the Vice President of Iran to attend and speak at a conference with the intention of helping the community, women and youth to have a better and more prosperous future.

My kidnapping changed my life forever. During that period, I wished, as many who face this most impossible suffering probably do, that my life would just end to relieve me of this intolerable torment.

But as fate would have it, and in answer to the prayers and efforts of many, my long and very traumatic journey in Evin prison finally ended and I was released. It was then that I instinctively knew that I couldn’t stand idly by while others went through the same ordeal. I had to help in whatever way I could.

Today, with many former hostages and good people who are helping, we have established Hostage Aid Worldwide (HAW), a non profit organization to assist and fight for hostages all around the world and support their families during their ordeal. This effort will be in full cooperation with other NGOs working to help hostages.

By working together we will do our best to ensure that the hostage taking business model stops and will clearly be condemned by the United Nations and the world, and hostages will not end up being forgotten by their governments.

I want to thank all the former hostages who decided to join HAW. I am grateful and humbled to be part of this great group of people united in having survived through one of humanity’s great injustices. We welcome you to join HAW and support our efforts to end hostage taking once and for all.

Read more ⟶

EVENTS

Hostage Aid Launch Event – Video

04

Mar

Hostage Aid Launch Event – Video

Hostage Aid Worldwide (HAW), in partnership with the James Foley Foundation, invites you to its upcoming launch event that will host renowned panelists and former hostages to discuss the increasing threat of hostage taking globally and ways to intercept the hostage business model with a focus on JCPOA and international hostage conventions.

Hostage Aid Worldwide – Launch Press Release

04

Mar

Hostage Aid Worldwide – Launch Press Release

HOSTAGE AID WORLDWIDE LAUNCHED IN RESPONSE TO DRAMATIC INCREASE IN HOSTAGE DIPLOMACY BY SOME NATIONS

HAW Workshop / Global Similarities & Common Experiences of Families

12

Apr

HAW Workshop / Global Similarities & Common Experiences of Families

HOSTAGE AID WORLDWIDE BRINGS TOGETHER MORE THAN 20 FAMILY MEMBERS FROM FOUR COUNTRIES OF PAST AND CURRENT HOSTAGES TO DISCUSS THEIR COMMON EXPERIENCES

HAW Workshop – Robert Malley Participation

17

Jul

HAW Workshop – Robert Malley Participation

In HAW workshop, Malley commented that the negotiations with Iran on releasing hostages will continue regardless of the outcome of the nuclear Deal.

Map & Marker

CURRENT NUMBER OF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED HOSTAGE AND WRONGFUL DETENTION CASES: 64

RSS NEWS FEED

HAW Daily Brief 1/2 The Russian Prison That Evan Gershkovich Carried Home

Washington D.C. - NY Times
It took 16 months to get Evan Gershkovich out of a Russian prison. It took many more months to get the Russian prison out of Evan Gershkovich. In his

Day 3,810 of injustice for Ahmadreza Djalali. "Statements have been made. Promises have been offered. Expressions of concern have been repeated. But Ahmadreza remains in prison; a gaunt shadow of the man who was taken over a decade ago." #SaveAhmadreza @SwedishPM @MariaStenergard

“Dad’s eyesight isn’t very good, & I don’t have my glasses, so my handwriting isn’t very good.”
In a handwritten letter from detention, Chinese artist & U.S. national Gao Zhen wrote these words to his young son.
“I hope I can finish my work as soon as possible & return to you &

Ahmadreza Djalali survived a heart attack, malnutrition, wars, & years of uncertainty under a death sentence. He watches others walk out of Evin as their government used every possible avenue to secure their freedom.

A crime to humanity @SwedishPM @MariaStenergard @drpezeshkian

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