In the latest wave of kidnappings in Haiti, nine individuals, including Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary, and a three-year-old child were seized from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage located in Kenscoff, near Port-au-Prince. The incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday morning, as reported by local official Mayor Massillon Jean. The facility, which cares for over 240 children, including those with disabilities, was targeted in what authorities believe to be a premeditated attack.
According to reports, attackers breached a wall to gain entry and specifically targeted the building where Ms. Heraty was housed. Jean stated that the raid was executed "without opening fire," indicating a calculated operation rather than a spontaneous act of violence. Despite concerns for their safety, no ransom demands have yet been made public. However, the rise in gang-related incidents in Haiti has left communities on edge.
Gena Heraty, who has been dedicated to humanitarian work in Haiti since 1993, has received commendations such as the Oireachtas Human Dignity Award for her efforts. In previous interviews, she expressed her commitment to the children at the orphanage, asserting her intention to remain in Haiti despite escalating dangers. "The children are why I'm still here. We're in this together," she told the Irish Times in a recent conversation.
The commune of Kenscoff has been increasingly plagued by violence, with local gangs exerting control and resulting in a breakdown of social order. Reports indicate that armed groups dominate around 85% of Port-au-Prince, and efforts by local and international police forces to stifle gang influence have yielded little success. The United Nations has reported alarming statistics, with almost 350 kidnapping incidents and over 3,000 homicides occurring in the first half of 2025 alone.
As the crisis in Haiti intensifies, families are facing dire living conditions, often forced to survive in makeshift shelters and exposing themselves to health risks. Volker Türk, UN Human Rights chief, noted that the escalation of violence threatens to destabilize the nation further, with the number of internally displaced individuals tripling in the past year. This ongoing situation raises urgent questions about the safety and future of vulnerable populations in Haiti amidst rising turmoil.
According to reports, attackers breached a wall to gain entry and specifically targeted the building where Ms. Heraty was housed. Jean stated that the raid was executed "without opening fire," indicating a calculated operation rather than a spontaneous act of violence. Despite concerns for their safety, no ransom demands have yet been made public. However, the rise in gang-related incidents in Haiti has left communities on edge.
Gena Heraty, who has been dedicated to humanitarian work in Haiti since 1993, has received commendations such as the Oireachtas Human Dignity Award for her efforts. In previous interviews, she expressed her commitment to the children at the orphanage, asserting her intention to remain in Haiti despite escalating dangers. "The children are why I'm still here. We're in this together," she told the Irish Times in a recent conversation.
The commune of Kenscoff has been increasingly plagued by violence, with local gangs exerting control and resulting in a breakdown of social order. Reports indicate that armed groups dominate around 85% of Port-au-Prince, and efforts by local and international police forces to stifle gang influence have yielded little success. The United Nations has reported alarming statistics, with almost 350 kidnapping incidents and over 3,000 homicides occurring in the first half of 2025 alone.
As the crisis in Haiti intensifies, families are facing dire living conditions, often forced to survive in makeshift shelters and exposing themselves to health risks. Volker Türk, UN Human Rights chief, noted that the escalation of violence threatens to destabilize the nation further, with the number of internally displaced individuals tripling in the past year. This ongoing situation raises urgent questions about the safety and future of vulnerable populations in Haiti amidst rising turmoil.
