**A group of attackers legally broke into the Sainte-Hélène orphanage, prompting fears and concerns over safety as gang violence continues to rise in Haiti.**
**Irish Missionary and Toddler Among Nine Kidnapped from Haitian Orphanage**
**Irish Missionary and Toddler Among Nine Kidnapped from Haitian Orphanage**
**Nine people, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were kidnapped from an orphanage near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in a noteworthy incident that sheds light on the escalating violence in the country.**
In a distressing incident reported on Sunday, nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were abducted from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This alarming event highlights the growing threat of gang-related crime in the region, which has left many concerned for safety.
According to local officials, Gena Heraty, the director of the privately-run orphanage that caters to over 240 children, was among those taken during the early morning hours. Mayor Massillon Jean described the assault as a “planned act,” noting that the attackers breached the orphanage’s property walls around 3:30 AM (07:30 GMT) but did not discharge any firearms. It is suspected that members of local gangs executed the attack, as reported by Haitian newspaper La Nouvelliste.
Gena Heraty, an Irish national who has dedicated nearly three decades of her life to humanitarian work in Haiti, confirmed her abduction through an early morning call to her organization, "Our Little Brothers and Sisters." She expressed her commitment to Haiti despite the alarming rise in gang violence, stating, "The children are why I'm still here. We're in this together," reflecting her dedication to her mission since moving to Haiti in 1993.
The current environment in Kenscoff, particularly following violent gang incursions since early 2025, is concerning. Gangs have established control over much of Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas, posing continuous threats to both locals and foreign workers. Despite efforts from Haitian police, supported by international allies, to combat gang influence, these efforts have yet to substantially diminish the gangs' control.
The growing insecurity has led to a sharp increase in kidnappings and violence in Haiti. Reports indicate that in the first half of 2025 alone, almost 350 individuals were taken captive, while the country has also experienced significant loss of life, with over 3,141 reported fatalities in the same period. The United Nations (UN) has raised alarms regarding the humanitarian crisis emerging from this violence, with more than a million individuals displaced, half of whom are children.
The international community, including the Irish government, is closely monitoring the situation, providing consular assistance to the affected individuals. The harrowing incident at the orphanage serves as a stark reminder of the precarious security situation in Haiti and the ongoing plight of its vulnerable populations amidst rising gang violence.
According to local officials, Gena Heraty, the director of the privately-run orphanage that caters to over 240 children, was among those taken during the early morning hours. Mayor Massillon Jean described the assault as a “planned act,” noting that the attackers breached the orphanage’s property walls around 3:30 AM (07:30 GMT) but did not discharge any firearms. It is suspected that members of local gangs executed the attack, as reported by Haitian newspaper La Nouvelliste.
Gena Heraty, an Irish national who has dedicated nearly three decades of her life to humanitarian work in Haiti, confirmed her abduction through an early morning call to her organization, "Our Little Brothers and Sisters." She expressed her commitment to Haiti despite the alarming rise in gang violence, stating, "The children are why I'm still here. We're in this together," reflecting her dedication to her mission since moving to Haiti in 1993.
The current environment in Kenscoff, particularly following violent gang incursions since early 2025, is concerning. Gangs have established control over much of Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas, posing continuous threats to both locals and foreign workers. Despite efforts from Haitian police, supported by international allies, to combat gang influence, these efforts have yet to substantially diminish the gangs' control.
The growing insecurity has led to a sharp increase in kidnappings and violence in Haiti. Reports indicate that in the first half of 2025 alone, almost 350 individuals were taken captive, while the country has also experienced significant loss of life, with over 3,141 reported fatalities in the same period. The United Nations (UN) has raised alarms regarding the humanitarian crisis emerging from this violence, with more than a million individuals displaced, half of whom are children.
The international community, including the Irish government, is closely monitoring the situation, providing consular assistance to the affected individuals. The harrowing incident at the orphanage serves as a stark reminder of the precarious security situation in Haiti and the ongoing plight of its vulnerable populations amidst rising gang violence.
