How does Zeitoun's family get involved in the search for him?

When Zeitoun does not call on Wednesday as promised, Kathy immediately becomes anxious. She speaks to several family friends, but no one has heard from Zeitoun. The following day, Kathy is frantic and Ahmad takes charge of the situation from Spain, contacting the Coast Guard and organizations that track missing persons. However, his English is poor and sometimes complicates the matter. The overwhelmed relief groups do not provide any leads.

Over the next few days, Kathy tries to put on a brave face for both her children and Zeitoun’s relatives in Syria. She lies and tells them that she has heard from her husband, delaying the inevitable panic. Meanwhile, she files Zeitoun’s information with the missing-persons division of the Red Cross.