Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: An interagency group of experts from across the U.S. government dedicated to the safe recovery of Americans held hostage overseas marks its fourth anniversary this summer.  

The Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, housed at FBI Headquarters, was created to enhance the government’s strategic response to international kidnappings.

And, says Kieran Ramsey, director of the fusion cell, it aims to better involve the families of hostages in decision making.

Kieran Ramsey: Have our efforts improved greatly in rescuing and recovering Americans? Absolutely, they have. And have our efforts improved greatly in engaging, supporting and collaborating with families of the victims? Absolutely, they have.

Halpern: If your summer vacation takes you overseas, Ramsey suggests learning the safety conditions of where you’re going and providing loved ones with your itinerary.  

Ramsey: You should have the ability to travel and see the world as you wish. However, that also means you have to be aware of where you're traveling to, the time that you're traveling, what is going on there. A smart traveler is a forewarned traveler. It pays to be forewarned.

Halpern: Ramsey also suggests enrolling in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP. The free service enables the U.S. Embassy to contact you in emergencies. With FBI, This Week, I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau.