Not Forgotten: Stand with Hostage International this Christmas

For the first week of December 2026, your donation will go twice as far in supporting former hostages and their families.

When the time comes (Tuesday 1 December) please give via THE BIG GIVE WEBSITE

The festive season is often a time for family, being together and celebration. But for families affected by hostage-taking and arbitrary detention, this time of year can bring an especially painful reminder of a missing loved one and the uncertainty of not knowing when they will be together again.

While others prepare to celebrate, families with a loved one arbitrarily detained or held hostage may be facing unanswered questions, a lack of reliable information and the enormous emotional strain of having someone they love held against their will.

For those who are together again, the festive season may be joyful but it can also be a complicated time for former hostages and their families as they re-build their lives.

This Christmas, we want to make sure they are not forgotten.

From 1 December to 8 December 2026, Hostage International will be taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, with an opportunity for your donation to be doubled through matched funding.

That means donations made via the Big Give website during the campaign can have twice the impact, helping us provide vital, independent support to hostages and their families when they need it most.

How your donation will help

Hostage International provides tailored guidance to families as they navigate the uncertainty of a loved one’s captivity, helping them understand what may happen next and who they can turn to for trusted advice.

We also support former hostages as they rebuild their lives after release. From navigating insurance, banking, housing and employment to accessing medical, dental and specialist trauma therapy, we help people tackle the challenges that might feel too overwhelming to face alone.

Our support is practical, personal and ongoing. We connect families and returnees with specialist help, including legal, media, medical and mental health support, while offering a trusted space to talk through whatever challenges arise.

Your donation can help make this possible.

Funds raised through our Big Give Christmas Challenge will help ensure that families and former hostages can access expert guidance, trauma therapy and essential practical support, easing the financial, emotional and administrative burdens they face.

For someone living with the consequences of hostage-taking, knowing that someone is there to listen, understand and help can make an enormous difference.

This festive season, please stand with Hostage International. Please give during the first week of December HERE and help us make sure that no hostage, former hostage or family is left to face the impact of captivity alone.

We want to say a huge thank you to the Reed Foundation for supporting this campaign.