In a startling incident near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, an Irish missionary and a young child were among nine people abducted from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage on Sunday. Gena Heraty, director of the orphanage, confirmed her kidnapping in a phone call to her organization, drawing attention to the increasingly perilous conditions in the area.
Local officials reported that the attack occurred in the early morning hours, as gang members forcibly entered the orphanage premises, which cares for over 240 children, including those with disabilities. Mayor Massillon Jean described the entry as a “planned act,” with the assailants breaching a wall to gain access.
Reports indicate that no gunfire was exchanged during the abduction, which included the kidnapping of seven employees alongside Heraty and the toddler. The rise in gang activity in the Kenscoff commune has been concerning, with criminal gangs reportedly controlling vast areas, including much of the capital and surrounding regions.
Despite the heightened risks, Heraty, who has been in Haiti since 1993 and has received various humanitarian accolades, previously expressed her commitment to staying in the country for the sake of the children. "The children are why I'm still here," she stated to the Irish Times in 2022, reflecting her steadfast dedication amid ongoing violence.
Global attention to Haiti’s plight has intensified as kidnappings and gang violence proliferate. The United Nations highlighted that around 350 people were kidnapped in the first half of 2025 alone, while more than 3,000 were reported killed in the same timeframe. As armed groups wreak havoc, a staggering 1.3 million individuals have been displaced, facing a relentless struggle for basic survival and safety.
The international community watches closely as Haiti's internal security deteriorates, further complicating the humanitarian response necessary to assist its vulnerable populations. Efforts by the Haitian police and foreign forces to stabilize the region, including the use of advanced surveillance technology, have yet to yield significant progress against the entrenched gang presence.
