Amer Foundation

05/08/2026

This past week in Washington was Hostage Week, a time where families of U.S. hostages came together to advocate for their loved ones, honor those impacted by wrongful detention and captivity, and stand united in a shared mission to bring every hostage home.

Throughout the week, there were numerous meaningful events dedicated to hostage families and the broader hostage advocacy community, including the James W. Foley Freedom Awards, which continues to honor the legacy of James Foley and raise awareness for hostages and wrongful detainees around the world. Hostage US also held a powerful gathering bringing together families, advocates, and supporters, while Hostage Aid Worldwide hosted an event honoring Diane Foley for her tireless dedication and advocacy on behalf of hostage families everywhere.

Guila and Zoya, daughters of the late U.S. hostage Amer Fakhoury, had the honor of attending and representing their father throughout the week’s events. Hostage Week serves as a reminder that no family should have to face these battles alone, and that through unity, advocacy, and shared support, these voices continue to push for justice and the safe return of all hostages.

04/21/2026

South Lebanon Relief Fund Update

The Amer Foundaiton’s South Lebanon Relief Fund is already making a direct impact on the ground.

The first round of aid has been delivered to families in Marjeyoun, Klayaa, and Rmeich:

* $7,500 distributed in Marjeyoun
* $3,000 distributed in Klayaa
* $4,000 distributed in Rmeich

We are now preparing the next phase of support to reach additional families across the south.

The need remains urgent. Many communities are still not receiving adequate assistance, and the humanitarian situation continues to be critical.

If you’re able to help, please consider donating through our website (AmerFoundation.org) or via Venmo .

Thank you for standing with South Lebanon.

04/15/2026

Yesterday marked a historic moment between Lebanon and Israel. For the first time since 1983, ambassadors
from both nations met face-to-face in Washington, DC. While this meeting signals a potential opening for diplomacy, it comes amid ongoing war and immense human suffering.

Despite Hezbollah’s opposition to direct talks, Lebanon’s participation reflects an important moment where the Lebanese government asserted its sovereignty and acted in the interest of its people and the future of the nation.

At the Amer Foundation, we believe that diplomacy must be rooted in the protection of human life and the dignity of those most affected. Today, over a million people in Lebanon remain displaced, families are separated, and entire communities—especially in the south—continue to endure the consequences of a war they did not choose. Hezbollah has been infiltrating the government for 40 years, and causing pain and suffering to the Lebanese. We are happy to see Lebanon free itself from Hezbollah and Iran’s grip for the first time.

As much as we are happy to see this meeting takes place, this meeting must not be symbolic. It must lead to real action: an end to violence, protection for civilians, and a future where the people of Lebanon can live in safety, and peace.

04/09/2026

In just one week, the Amer Foundation raised $20,000 to support families in Lebanon. We want to thank everyone who has contributed, your donation will go straight to families who are in need. We will provide constant updates once families have received their aid and the number of families who will be supported during this time.

We also want to give a special thanks to our teams on the ground working for the Amer Foundation. It is not easy delivering aid to the south under these war conditions, but their courage and dedication makes this work possible.

We are deeply grateful to every single person who has donated, shared, and supported the South Lebanon Relief Fund. Your kindness is reaching people who need it most.

Lebanon is hurting, and we cannot look away. If you’re able to give, please consider donating and helping us continue this work.

04/07/2026

The Iran backed group Kataib Hezbollah announced it would free the journalist kidnapped in Baghdad in late March following pressure and negotiations, but required her immediate departure from the country as part of the release terms.

Shelly Kittleson is an American freelance journalist who has reported extensively from the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, over several years covering politics and conflict prior to her abduction.

04/01/2026

The Amer Foundation is deeply concerned by the kidnapping of Shelly Kittleson, an American journalist who has contributed to Al-Monitor, Foreign Policy, Politico, and the BBC. Reports indicate that she was kidnapped by armed men in Baghdad, Iraq. Sources say the kidnappers were associated with the Iranian proxy group Kataib Hezbollah.

Journalists worldwide put their lives at risk to share the truth. We urge the Untied States Government to prioritize her safe return. We will provide updates as verified information becomes available.

03/31/2026

The Amer Foundation is launching a humanitarian campaign to support families in Southern Lebanon who have remained in their homes despite ongoing conflict. The Amer Foundation’s Southern Lebanon Relief Fund is dedicated to supporting these civilians with urgent humanitarian aid, providing food, and basic necessities to those who are unable to leave. Our trusted team on the ground in Southern Lebanon will actively work to deliver aid and support directly to families in need.

Your contribution will help deliver immediate relief to those who need it most. Thank you for your support!

https://amerfoundation.org/lebanon-relief-fund

03/31/2026

For over a month, the Islamic Republic of Iran has cut off more than 90 million people from the outside world. Families cannot reach each other. Voices cannot be heard. The truth cannot get out.

By restricting access to the global internet, the regime is limiting the flow of information, isolating its population, and creating space to shape its own narrative without scrutiny.

03/25/2026

Today, after more than a year of wrongful detention in Afghanistan, Dennis Coyle, a 64-year-old academic from Colorado, is on his way home. Dennis had been in Afghanistan for over 20 years preserving linguistic diversity and assisting communities. We are grateful for the efforts of all who helped secure his release and for the support of international partners advocating for Americans held unjustly abroad.

While Dennis’s return is a long-awaited relief, more work remains. We continue to call for the immediate release of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other Americans still unjustly detained by the Taliban. The practice of hostage diplomacy must end.

03/20/2026

What happened to Amer Fakhoury in 2019 revealed a deeper truth about Lebanon. Today, that reality is unfolding on a much larger scale.

We explain in our latest blog.

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the rescue of Amer Fakhoury by the United States from Lebanon, where he had been unlawfully detained for seven months by Hezbollah. His case was not an isolated incident, but rather a revealing moment that exposed a deeper and more troubling reality within Lebanon

03/19/2026

Today marks the anniversary of the rescue of Amer Fakhoury by the United States from Lebanon, where he had been unlawfully detained for seven months by Hezbollah.

For decades, Hezbollah, backed by the Iranian regime, has exercised significant influence over Lebanon’s political and security landscape. However, the events of 2019, including Fakhoury’s detention, served as a stark and public demonstration of just how deeply that influence had penetrated state institutions.

That reality has since been further reinforced. In 2025, a United States federal court ruled in favor of Amer Fakhoury, holding Iran responsible for its role in his unlawful detention through its support of Hezbollah. This judgment underscored what many had long warned: that Americans detained in Lebanon were not isolated cases, but part of a broader, state-backed system operating beyond the rule of law.

We remain deeply grateful for the decisive actions taken by the Trump administration to secure Amer Fakhoury’s release on March 19, 2020. Its broader efforts have played a significant role in bringing Americans home from unjust detentions around the world.