Ireland calls for hostages' release after gunmen storm Haiti orphanage
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris spoke with his Haitian counterpart overnight, the government said in a statement, during which they agreed to stay in touch on their work to ensure the group is released, including missionary Gena Heraty.
"It is imperative that she is released immediately," Harris said separately on social media.
The attacks took place over the weekend when gunmen stormed the orphanage in Kenscoff, a mountainous community on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince that has been under deadly attacks by armed gangs since the start of this year.
Father Richard Frechette, who works with Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, the international charity that runs the orphanage, told Reuters a total of eight people had been kidnapped including the 3-year-old boy, six staff members and Heraty, who heads special needs programs at the orphanage.
"We have not yet been able to reach a ransom agreement to free them," he said.
"We hope for their fast and safe return," the charity added on social media. "Our commitment to the Haitian people remains as strong as ever."
Armed gangs have in recent years targeted a number of religious, charitable and medical aid groups, including hospitals, NGOs, nuns and priests from congregations based in and around the capital, as well as foreign missionaries.
A recent report by the U.N. office in Haiti (BINUH) found the situation remained "very volatile" in Kenscoff while gangs intensified and expanded their attacks in central Haiti and the agricultural Artibonite region.
BINUH considers Kenscoff of "major strategic importance" as it overlooks the suburb of Petion-Ville, one of the capital's last hold-outs and the site of multiple embassies, banking institutions and hotels serving as diplomatic meeting places.
Over 3,100 people were killed and 336 kidnapped for ransom in the first half of this year in Haiti, according to BINUH estimates, as the number of residents displaced by the extended conflict with the powerful gangs - largely grouped behind a coalition called Viv Ansanm - nearly doubled to 1.3 million.
Haitian authorities have repeatedly called for more resources to fight the gangs. A partially deployed and deeply under-equipped U.N.-backed mission kicked off over a year ago but has had little effect in slowing gangs' advances.
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The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Ireland calls on Haiti to secure release of group kidnapped from local orphanage
Ireland's foreign ministry has called on Haitian authorities to ensure 'everything is done' to secure the release of a group of people, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, taken by gunmen who stormed a local orphanage. Simon Harris, the Irish foreign minister, spoke with his Haitian counterpart overnight, the government said in a statement, during which they agreed to stay in touch on their work to ensure the group is released, including missionary Gena Heraty who oversees the orphanage. 'It is imperative that she is released immediately,' Harris said separately on social media. The attacks took place over the weekend when gunmen stormed the orphanage in Kenscoff, a mountainous community on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince that has been under deadly attacks by armed gangs since the start of this year. Father Richard Frechette, who works with Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, the international charity that runs the orphanage, said that eight people had been kidnapped including the three-year-old boy, six staff members and Heraty, who heads special needs programs at the orphanage. 'We have not yet been able to reach a ransom agreement to free them,' he said. 'We hope for their fast and safe return,' the charity added on social media. 'Our commitment to the Haitian people remains as strong as ever.' Heraty, who has lived in Haiti since 1993, runs the orphanage, which cares for up to 270 children. She is the latest in a string foreign missionaries to become the victim of kidnapping in Haiti. Armed gangs have in recent years targeted a number of religious, charitable and medical aid groups, including hospitals, NGOs, nuns and priests from congregations based in and around the capital, as well as foreign missionaries. The majority of kidnapping victims are Haitian citizens who are seized and held for ransom, often picked opportunistically from the gridlocked traffic of the capital Port-au-Prince. More than 3,100 people were killed and 336 kidnapped for ransom in the first half of this year in Haiti, according to BINUH estimates, as the number of residents displaced by the extended conflict with the powerful gangs – largely grouped behind a coalition called Viv Ansanm, or 'Live Together' – nearly doubled to 1.3 million. A recent report by the UN office in Haiti (BINUH) found the situation remained 'very volatile' in Kenscoff while gangs intensified and expanded their attacks in central Haiti and the agricultural Artibonite region. BINUH considers Kenscoff of 'major strategic importance' as it overlooks the suburb of Petion-Ville, one of the capital's last hold-outs and the site of multiple embassies, banking institutions and hotels serving as diplomatic meeting places. Haitian authorities have repeatedly called for more resources to fight the gangs. A partially deployed and deeply under-equipped UN-backed mission kicked off over a year ago but has had little effect in slowing gangs' advances.
Sky News
3 hours ago
- Sky News
Gena Heraty: Family of Irishwoman kidnapped from orphanage in Haiti ask people to 'keep her in your hearts'
The family of an Irishwoman who was among eight people taken by armed kidnappers in Haiti have asked people to keep the group "in your hearts". Gena Heraty, who has worked in the Caribbean country for decades, and seven other hostages, including a three-year-old child, were taken from an orphanage in Kenscoff in southern Haiti on Sunday. Ms Heraty, from Westport in Co Mayo, manages the establishment, which is operated by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers And Sisters) and is located about 12 miles from the capital Port-au-Prince. Ireland's deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs, Simon Harris, said he spoke by phone to Haiti's foreign minister, Harvel Jean-Baptiste, and asked that everything be done to secure the release of the group. The Irishwoman's siblings were joined by local people to pray for her safe return at a mass in her parish church on Monday. Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that her family was "still coming to terms with the awful news". It said it is working with all concerned parties in both countries "who have all assured us that everything possible is being done to get Gena, and those taken with her, safely released as soon as possible". "Gena is loved and respected by so many people, as is evident in the outpouring of concern, support and prayers from everyone near and far." The statement said the family asked for "discretion and patience". 4:08 Mr Harris said he had been in contact with Ms Heraty's family on Monday and officials in his department would remain in "constant" touch with them, admitting the last few days had been "extremely traumatic" for the families of all those kidnapped. The minister said his Haitian counterpart, foreign affairs minister Harvel Jean Baptiste, "assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals". 6:42 Viatores Christi, a lay missionary organisation, said that one of its members, Ms Heraty, was taken by armed individuals from her home at the NPFS compound in Kenscoff on Sunday morning. "Gena has worked in Haiti for over 30 years, dedicating her life to children and adults with disabilities." "Her commitment, compassion and steady presence have made a lasting difference to many families in the region," the group said. Fr John Kenny, a Westport parish priest, said the local community was "saddened and shocked" by the kidnap of Ms Heraty, whom he described as "wonderful, generous and caring". He said Ms Heraty's sister Mary spoke at Monday's service in her local parish church in Cushlough.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Ireland calls on Haiti to secure release of group kidnapped from local orphanage
Ireland's foreign ministry has called on Haitian authorities to ensure 'everything is done' to secure the release of a group of people, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, taken by gunmen who stormed a local orphanage. Simon Harris, the Irish foreign minister, spoke with his Haitian counterpart overnight, the government said in a statement, during which they agreed to stay in touch on their work to ensure the group is released, including missionary Gena Heraty who oversees the orphanage. 'It is imperative that she is released immediately,' Harris said separately on social media. The attacks took place over the weekend when gunmen stormed the orphanage in Kenscoff, a mountainous community on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince that has been under deadly attacks by armed gangs since the start of this year. Father Richard Frechette, who works with Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, the international charity that runs the orphanage, said that eight people had been kidnapped including the three-year-old boy, six staff members and Heraty, who heads special needs programs at the orphanage. 'We have not yet been able to reach a ransom agreement to free them,' he said. 'We hope for their fast and safe return,' the charity added on social media. 'Our commitment to the Haitian people remains as strong as ever.' Heraty, who has lived in Haiti since 1993, runs the orphanage, which cares for up to 270 children. She is the latest in a string foreign missionaries to become the victim of kidnapping in Haiti. Armed gangs have in recent years targeted a number of religious, charitable and medical aid groups, including hospitals, NGOs, nuns and priests from congregations based in and around the capital, as well as foreign missionaries. The majority of kidnapping victims are Haitian citizens who are seized and held for ransom, often picked opportunistically from the gridlocked traffic of the capital Port-au-Prince. More than 3,100 people were killed and 336 kidnapped for ransom in the first half of this year in Haiti, according to BINUH estimates, as the number of residents displaced by the extended conflict with the powerful gangs – largely grouped behind a coalition called Viv Ansanm, or 'Live Together' – nearly doubled to 1.3 million. A recent report by the UN office in Haiti (BINUH) found the situation remained 'very volatile' in Kenscoff while gangs intensified and expanded their attacks in central Haiti and the agricultural Artibonite region. BINUH considers Kenscoff of 'major strategic importance' as it overlooks the suburb of Petion-Ville, one of the capital's last hold-outs and the site of multiple embassies, banking institutions and hotels serving as diplomatic meeting places. Haitian authorities have repeatedly called for more resources to fight the gangs. A partially deployed and deeply under-equipped UN-backed mission kicked off over a year ago but has had little effect in slowing gangs' advances.
