Abduction and Kidnap Risk Management provides a concise summary of key information for non-governmental organisations facing the threat of a potential or actual abduction of one of their staff members or other individuals under their responsibility, for example, consultants or volunteers.
Abductions are the most complex and challenging type of critical incident an organisation can face. It is important to be prepared for them.
This guide is aimed at NGO staff in headquarters, regional and field offices who are likely to be involved in leading, planning and providing crisis management before, during and after an abduction.
Due to the sensitive nature of the content of this document, GISF has decided for the time being to limit its release to member organisations. Please only share this guide with trusted individuals who in turn will not share more widely.
The associated tools can be downloaded in editable format in the links below, and organisations are free to use or adapt these tools provided that GISF is acknowledged as the original source.
Tool 1: Case management information checklist
Tool 2: Crisis management team – First meeting guide
Tool 3: Crisis management team – Meeting agenda
Tool 4: Selection of a communicator
Tool 5: Guidelines for communicating with hostage-takers
Tool 6: Guidelines for talking to the hostage
Tool 9: Case momentum checklist
Tool 10: Post-release hostage debrief checklist
Tool 11: Post-crisis analysis report template
This guide builds on the GISF briefing papers: ‘Crisis Management of Critical Incidents’ and ‘Abduction Management’, and should be read in conjunction with the GISF guides ‘Managing the Message: Communication and Media Management in a Crisis’ and ‘Family First: Liaison and Support During a Crisis’.