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Nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were abducted from the privately-run Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, during early hours on Sunday. Gena Heraty, the orphanage's director who has dedicated 30 years of her life to humanitarian work in Haiti, confirmed her kidnapping shortly after it occurred.
According to local authorities, the attackers executed a planned raid by breaking through a wall around 3:30 AM local time, capturing seven staff members and one child in addition to Ms. Heraty. Eyewitness accounts suggest there was no gunfire exchanged, making the attack distinct as a calculated operation, as described by the Mayor of Kenscoff, Massillon Jean.
Reports indicate that gang members are likely behind the abduction, with no ransom demands issued as of yet. The Irish Foreign Affairs Department announced it is aware of the situation and is providing consular assistance. Gena Heraty, who was born in Liscarney, County Mayo, has received multiple accolades for her humanitarian contributions, including the Oireachtas Human Dignity Award. She previously expressed her commitment to remaining in Haiti despite the escalating gang violence threatening her safety, emphasizing her dedication to the children in her care.
Haiti has seen a dramatic increase in gang violence, with estimates suggesting that armed groups control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince. Since early 2025, areas like Kenscoff have witnessed a significant rise in such violent incidents, contributing to a total of nearly 350 kidnappings in the first half of this year alone, according to United Nations figures. The ongoing unrest has led to a staggering displacement of over one million people within the nation, half of whom are children, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis developing in Haiti.
In response to the unrest, Haiti's police force, with assistance from international allies, continues to combat gang control, although efforts have proven to be largely unsuccessful amid increasing violence. UN officials are warning that the escalating violence poses additional threats to stability in a region already drastically affected by disorder and humanitarian needs.
Nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were abducted from the privately-run Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, during early hours on Sunday. Gena Heraty, the orphanage's director who has dedicated 30 years of her life to humanitarian work in Haiti, confirmed her kidnapping shortly after it occurred.
According to local authorities, the attackers executed a planned raid by breaking through a wall around 3:30 AM local time, capturing seven staff members and one child in addition to Ms. Heraty. Eyewitness accounts suggest there was no gunfire exchanged, making the attack distinct as a calculated operation, as described by the Mayor of Kenscoff, Massillon Jean.
Reports indicate that gang members are likely behind the abduction, with no ransom demands issued as of yet. The Irish Foreign Affairs Department announced it is aware of the situation and is providing consular assistance. Gena Heraty, who was born in Liscarney, County Mayo, has received multiple accolades for her humanitarian contributions, including the Oireachtas Human Dignity Award. She previously expressed her commitment to remaining in Haiti despite the escalating gang violence threatening her safety, emphasizing her dedication to the children in her care.
Haiti has seen a dramatic increase in gang violence, with estimates suggesting that armed groups control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince. Since early 2025, areas like Kenscoff have witnessed a significant rise in such violent incidents, contributing to a total of nearly 350 kidnappings in the first half of this year alone, according to United Nations figures. The ongoing unrest has led to a staggering displacement of over one million people within the nation, half of whom are children, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis developing in Haiti.
In response to the unrest, Haiti's police force, with assistance from international allies, continues to combat gang control, although efforts have proven to be largely unsuccessful amid increasing violence. UN officials are warning that the escalating violence poses additional threats to stability in a region already drastically affected by disorder and humanitarian needs.
