By George Martin For Mailonline
Published: 23:07 BST, 14 April 2019 | Updated: 23:11 BST, 14 April 2019
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Louisa Akavi, 62, was kidnapped in Idlib, Syria in 2013
The Red Cross has revealed the identities of three hostages kidnapped by ISIS in Syria five years ago in the hope of finally tracking them down.
New Zealand-born Louisa Akavi, 62, was traveling in a Red Cross convoy in Idlib, north-western Syria, when she and several other volunteers were taken hostage by gunmen on 13 October 2013.
Seven people were snatched from the convoy, and despite four being released the following day, the whereabouts of Ms Akavi and two other volunteers, Alaa Rajab and Nabil Bakdounes, are still unknown.
Since the last patch of ISIS resistance in Syria was wiped out last month, the Red Cross has launched an appeal to trace them over fears they may have been executed.
The identity of Ms Akavi had remained a secret at the demand of both her employer and the New Zealand government, who warned that mention of her in the media could put her in danger.
But on Monday the Red Cross broke cover to name Ms Akavi and appeal for any information that could lead to her being found.
'The past five and a half years have been an extremely difficult time for the families of our three abducted colleagues,' said Dominik Stillhart, ICRC's director of operations.
'Louisa is a true and compassionate humanitarian. Alaa and Nabil were committed colleagues and an integral part of our
