Irish missionary among nine kidnapped in Haiti orphanage raid
The victims were taken from the Sainte-Helene orphanage in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of the capital.
Among them was Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary who oversees the orphanage -- operated by the humanitarian organization "Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs" ("Our Little Brothers and Sisters").
A three-year-old child and seven employees were also taken, according to Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean and a separate source close to the organization.
"The attackers broke into the orphanage around 3:30 am (0730 GMT) without opening fire," Jean said, calling it a "planned act."
"They broke through a wall to enter the property before heading to the building where the director was staying, leaving with nine hostages."
No demands or ransom requests have been made, though Heraty called the organization early Sunday to confirm she was among the kidnapped, a source close to the organization told AFP.
Heraty, who has lived in Haiti since 1993, runs the orphanage which cares for up to 270 children.
She is the latest foreign missionary to become the victim of kidnapping in Haiti.
In April 2021, two French priests were among ten people kidnapped in Croix des Bouquets before they were released nearly three weeks later.
The same group behind that kidnapping, the "400 Mawazo" gang, took a group of 17 American and Canadian missionaries hostage six months later.
Since the start of this year, Kenscoff has found itself in the crosshairs of the "Viv Ansanm" ("Living Together") gang, which has already taken control of several other localities.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 3,141 people have been killed in Haiti in the first half of this year, where the growing impact of gang violence threatens to further destabilize the nation.
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