On Sunday, nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were abducted from the privately-run Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, located near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The incident has raised alarms over rising gang violence in the region, according to local officials.
Gena Heraty, the orphanage's director, was reported among those kidnapped during a meticulously executed break-in. Mayor Massillon Jean stated that the attackers entered the facility without firing shots, suggesting that the event was premeditated. Eyewitness accounts claim that gang members broke through a wall to reach the building where Ms. Heraty was staying.
Ms. Heraty has dedicated her life to humanitarian work in Haiti since 1993 and confirmed her abduction to the organization overseeing the orphanage, known as Our Little Brothers and Sisters. As of now, no ransom demands have been reported, and Ireland's foreign affairs department is providing necessary consular support.
The orphanage provides care for over 240 children, some of whom have disabilities. Despite significant threats to her safety in the past, Ms. Heraty has expressed her commitment to remaining in Haiti for the children. In an interview, she previously emphasized, "The children are why I'm still here. We’re in this together."
Kenskoff, situated on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, has seen a surge in gang-related violence, with armed groups controlling significant portions of the city. The Haitian police, aided by foreign allies, have struggled to push back against these violent gangs. Reports indicate gang members currently hold sway over 85% of the capital.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with the United Nations reporting that nearly 350 individuals were kidnapped in the first half of 2025 alone, along with a shocking death toll of over 3,000. To further exacerbate the crisis, the UN has revealed that 1.3 million people are now internally displaced due to the ongoing violence, which has rendered families vulnerable as they attempt to survive in makeshift shelters.
Haiti's stability hangs precariously as the international community contemplates how best to respond to this escalating situation.
Gena Heraty, the orphanage's director, was reported among those kidnapped during a meticulously executed break-in. Mayor Massillon Jean stated that the attackers entered the facility without firing shots, suggesting that the event was premeditated. Eyewitness accounts claim that gang members broke through a wall to reach the building where Ms. Heraty was staying.
Ms. Heraty has dedicated her life to humanitarian work in Haiti since 1993 and confirmed her abduction to the organization overseeing the orphanage, known as Our Little Brothers and Sisters. As of now, no ransom demands have been reported, and Ireland's foreign affairs department is providing necessary consular support.
The orphanage provides care for over 240 children, some of whom have disabilities. Despite significant threats to her safety in the past, Ms. Heraty has expressed her commitment to remaining in Haiti for the children. In an interview, she previously emphasized, "The children are why I'm still here. We’re in this together."
Kenskoff, situated on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, has seen a surge in gang-related violence, with armed groups controlling significant portions of the city. The Haitian police, aided by foreign allies, have struggled to push back against these violent gangs. Reports indicate gang members currently hold sway over 85% of the capital.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with the United Nations reporting that nearly 350 individuals were kidnapped in the first half of 2025 alone, along with a shocking death toll of over 3,000. To further exacerbate the crisis, the UN has revealed that 1.3 million people are now internally displaced due to the ongoing violence, which has rendered families vulnerable as they attempt to survive in makeshift shelters.
Haiti's stability hangs precariously as the international community contemplates how best to respond to this escalating situation.
