Latest news with #NosPetitsFrèresetSœurs
The Journal
4 days ago
- The Journal
Colleague of kidnapped missionary Gena Heraty says she serves in Haiti with ‘love and compassion'
THE CHAIR OF the Irish branch of the aid organisation that Gena Heraty works for has said that Heraty serves in Haiti with 'love and compassion' and that her role is a 'vocation'. Gena was abducted along with seven others, including a three-year-old child, from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti, over the weekend . Gena, a native of Westport, Co Mayo, oversees the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, 10km southeast of Port-au-Prince. The facility is operated by humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters). It is believed the gang behind the abduction are associated with Viv Ansanm, a powerful criminal alliance that has seized control of much of Kenscoff. Jessica Mullins is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for NPH Ireland and told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that Gena is 'highly regarded in the communities she works for'. 'Gena is tough,' said Mullins, 'so she will definitely be putting on a brave face for everybody else, because it wasn't just Gena that was taken. Advertisement 'She is also probably trying to negotiate her way out, but no doubt there's also an element of fear there.' Mullins remarked that Gena has 'great resilience' and that this is shown through her more than 30-year stay in Haiti working with children and adults with disabilities. 'The country has become more volatile over the last number of years,' said Mullins, 'and it would be a tough environment to work in and to grow up in. 'It's rife with poverty, civil unrest, but Gena shows her resilience and has shown up every day, regardless of how volatile or tough things get on the ground in Haiti.' She added that Gena is 'passionate about what she does'. 'For Gena, I would think this isn't a job, it's a vocation, and one of her colleagues said to us yesterday, 'it's her true mission in life'. 'She really is an amazing person and serves with love, compassion and dignity and she's probably one of the most selfless people I've ever met.' Meanwhile, Mullins said the people of Haiti are 'kind and warm hearted' and added: 'It really is a shame that there's groups of gangs tarnishing the potential that that country has. 'It's a potential that Gena sees and believes in and it's why she's immersed in the community over there, and works so tirelessly at what she does.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Post
6 days ago
- Irish Post
Diplomatic efforts underway to free kidnapped Irish missionary in Haiti
IRISH charity worker Gena Heraty is among eight individuals kidnapped during an armed attack on a children's home in Haiti, triggering urgent diplomatic efforts from Irish authorities. Ms Heraty, originally from Westport in County Mayo, was taken along with six colleagues and a three-year-old child during a pre-dawn raid on the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, a town located in the hills southeast of Port-au-Prince. For over three decades, Ms Heraty has been working with vulnerable children in Haiti, leading special needs programmes under the organisation Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters). Her long-standing dedication to humanitarian service has made her a respected figure in both Haiti and Ireland. The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, confirmed that intensive diplomatic efforts are ongoing. He spoke directly with Haiti's Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste in a late-night call, urging every possible step be taken to secure the safe release of Ms Heraty and the others taken. 'This is an extremely sensitive and deeply distressing situation,' said Mr Harris. 'Gena has committed her life to helping the most vulnerable in Haiti. We are doing everything we can to bring her home safely.' Local officials believe the kidnapping was carefully orchestrated. According to Kenscoff's mayor, the attackers gained entry around 3:30am Sunday morning without opening fire — suggesting a deliberate and planned operation. While no group has claimed responsibility, the Viv Ansanm gang, which has seized control of much of the area, is believed to be behind the abduction. So far, no ransom demand has been made public. However, an intermediary, not affiliated with the Haitian government, is said to be on the ground working to negotiate the release of the hostages. The Tánaiste also confirmed that diplomatic teams in Dublin, Washington, and London are involved in the response, with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs staying in constant contact with the Heraty family. Speaking earlier this week, Mr Harris said he had a personal conversation with Gena's sister, Noreen, and gave her assurances that the government would pursue every possible avenue to ensure her safe return. The Heraty family released a statement describing the ordeal as 'deeply worrying' and said they are working closely with authorities and the NPH network both in Haiti and in Ireland. They also asked for privacy and caution while negotiations are ongoing. 'Please keep Gena and her colleagues in your thoughts and prayers,' the statement read. NPH International confirmed that a total of eight individuals, seven staff and one young child, were abducted. In response, the organisation has temporarily closed its two hospitals in Haiti as a safety precaution. Haiti has been gripped by escalating violence in recent years. The United Nations reports that criminal gangs control the vast majority of the capital, and more than 3,000 people have been killed in the first half of this year alone. Kidnappings have become a common tactic used by gangs over local communities. This incident is one of the most serious involving a foreign aid worker in recent years. It follows a pattern of high-profile kidnappings, including the 2021 abduction of 17 missionaries by the '400 Mawazo' gang. As the international community monitors the situation, Ireland's government has reiterated its commitment to securing the release of Gena Heraty and the others as swiftly and safely as possible. See More: Gena Heraty, Haiti, Kidnapping, Simon Harris
The Journal
6 days ago
- The Journal
'Intensive' efforts underway to secure release of kidnapped Irish aid worker in Haiti
EFFORTS ARE CONTINUING to secure the release of Irish aid worker Gena Heraty, who was kidnapped along with several people from an orphanage in Haiti. Gena was abducted along with seven others, including a three-year-old child, from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti, over the weekend. Tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris has described the situation as 'extremely sensitive' and said 'intensive and ongoing efforts' are underway involving Irish diplomatic teams in Dublin, Washington and London. In a statement issued last night, Harris reiterated that efforts are ongoing to ensure that 'everything possible is done to bring about the release of Gena, her co-workers and indeed the three-year-old child at the centre of this case.' Gena, a native of Westport, Co Mayo, oversees the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, 10km southeast of Port-au-Prince. The facility is operated by humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters). 'Gena is a deeply courageous and kind-hearted person who has given so much of her life to the humanitarian work that she cares so much about,' Harris said. 'As Tánaiste, I treat the safety and well-being of all our citizens with seriousness and sensitivity.' He confirmed that both he and his officials have been in constant contact with Gena's family, as well as local authorities and Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs in Haiti. Advertisement No ransom demands have been made yet. It is believed the gang behind the abduction are associated with Viv Ansanm, a powerful criminal alliance that has seized control of much of Kenscoff. Gena, in her mid-50s, has lived in Haiti since 1993, dedicating her life to working with children and adults with disabilities. A member of Dublin-based missionary group Viatores Christi, she serves as Director of Special Needs Programmes for Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs. The Heraty family have said they are 'devastated' but are working closely with the charity and the Irish Government to secure her release. Humanitarian groups have called for the immediate release of Gena and the other abductees. NPH International, which supports the orphanage, said it is 'doing all we can to help bring them home safely' and described the situation as 'under assessment'. The UN has warned that gang violence in Haiti has reached critical levels, with more than 3,100 people killed in the first half of this year. Kenscoff, once considered a safer area, has recently become a target for gangs. Harris said that 'no stone will be left unturned' in the efforts to bring Gena and the other hostages home safely. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is providing consular assistance to Gena's family and will issue further updates as they become available. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Irish missionary among eight missing after gunmen storm orphanage
An Irish missionary is among eight people who are missing after gunmen stormed an orphanage in Haiti. The attack is just the latest in an area controlled by a powerful array of armed gangs. A three-year-old child is also among the missing following the incident, at the Saint-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff. The orphanage is run by the international charity Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs and cares for more than 240 children, according to its website. Among those kidnapped early on Sunday was Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary who has worked in Haiti since 1993. According to Irish media, Ms Heraty, who oversees the orphanage's special needs programme for children and adults, was assaulted in 2013 when people broke into the orphanage and killed her colleague. Her family issued a statement saying they were 'absolutely devastated' by Sunday's kidnappings. 'The situation is evolving and deeply worrying,' they said. Sunday's incident marked the latest high-profile kidnapping involving a foreign missionary. In 2021, the 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped 17 missionaries from a US-based organisation in Ganthier, east of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The majority were held captive for 61 days. Kenscoff is a once peaceful community in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. The doors to the orphanage remained closed on Monday as Haiti's Institute of Social Welfare and Research worked with UNICEF to identify sites where children and employees could be relocated. No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, which took place in an area controlled by a gang federation known as ' Viv Ansanm'. Earlier this year, the US designated it as a foreign terrorist organisation. Simon Harris, Ireland's deputy prime minister, said in a statement that the kidnappings of Ms Heraty and the others were 'deeply worrying", and called for their immediate release. In a past interview with the Irish Independent newspaper, Ms Heraty recalled being threatened with death when suspects broke into the orphanage in 2013. 'They were quite aggressive. One had a hammer, one had a gun,' she said. Ms Heraty said her colleague was killed with a hammer after he rushed to help her and others. 'The last place you would expect a violent death to happen in Haiti would be in a house with special-needs people," she said. "Life is just not fair. We know that. We just have to accept it.' At least 175 people in Haiti were reported kidnapped from April to the end of June this year, with 37 per cent of those cases occurring in Port-au-Prince. The United Nations said a majority of those kidnappings were blamed on the Grand Ravine and Village de Dieu gangs, which form part of the Viv Ansanm federation.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
At least 8 missing, including an Irish missionary, after gunmen storm a Haiti orphanage
Eight people, including an Irish missionary and a 3-year-old child, remained missing on Monday after gunmen stormed an orphanage in Haiti, the latest attack in an area controlled by a powerful collection of armed gangs. Authorities scrambled to relocate dozens of children and staff from the Saint-Hélène orphanage, run by Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs, an international charity with offices in Mexico and France. The orphanage cares for more than 240 children, according to its website. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack early on Sunday. The area is controlled by a gang federation known as ' Viv Ansanm,' which the United States this year designated a foreign terrorist organization. Among those abducted was Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary who has worked in Haiti since 1993 and oversaw the orphanage's special needs program for children and adults. She was assaulted in 2013 when suspects broke into the orphanage and killed her colleague, according to Irish media. Her family issued a statement saying they were 'absolutely devastated' by Sunday's kidnappings: 'The situation is evolving and deeply worrying.' Sunday marked the latest high-profile kidnapping involving a foreign missionary. In 2021, the 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped 17 missionaries, including five children, from a U.S.-based organization in Ganthier, east of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The majority were held captive for 61 days. Sunday's kidnapping took place in Kenscoff, a once peaceful community in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. The doors to the orphanage remained closed on Monday as Haiti's Institute of Social Welfare and Research worked with UNICEF to identify sites where children and employees could be relocated. The lush green and incredibly steep mountains where the orphanage is located has been under attack by heavily armed gangs since January. The latest attack over the weekend forced farmers in the area to flee. 'We can't work,' said 41-year-old farmer Sala Désire, who fled his home and carried a small oven up a mountain as he gathered his belongings and prepared for a 30-minute trek uphill. Joceline Souffrant, 52, said she would follow him shortly. 'Everyone is running,' she said. 'We can't say in the area because of the shooting.' Simon Harris, Ireland's deputy prime minister, said in a statement that the kidnappings of Heraty and the others were 'deeply worrying,' and called for their immediate release. In a past interview with the Irish Independent newspaper, Heraty recalled being threatened with death when suspects broke into the orphanage in 2013. 'They were quite aggressive. One had a hammer, one had a gun,' she said. Heraty said her colleague was killed with a hammer after he rushed to help her and others. 'The last place you would expect a violent death to happen in Haiti would be in a house with special-needs people,' she said. 'Life is just not fair. We know that. We just have to accept it.' At least 175 people in Haiti were reported kidnapped from April to the end of June of this year, with 37% of those cases occurring in Port-au-Prince. The United Nations said a majority of those kidnappings were blamed on the Grand Ravine and Village de Dieu gangs, which form part of the Viv Ansanm federation.
