A group of armed assailants stormed an orphanage in Haiti early Sunday, kidnapping nine individuals—among them an Irish humanitarian worker and a three-year-old child. The incident occurred at the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, a commune near Port-au-Prince, according to local officials.
Gena Heraty, the facility’s director and a long-time resident of Haiti, was among those taken. Seven staff members and the young child were also seized during the brazen early-morning raid. The orphanage provides care for over 240 children, many with disabilities.
Authorities believe the attack was premeditated, as the assailants reportedly breached a wall to gain entry before targeting the building where Heraty was located. No shots were fired during the incident, but suspicions point to gang involvement.
Ireland’s foreign ministry confirmed it is providing consular support and working with local officials to secure the hostages’ release. Foreign Minister Simon Harris stated that efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of Heraty, her colleagues, and the abducted child.
Heraty, originally from County Mayo, has dedicated decades to humanitarian work in Haiti, earning recognition for her efforts. Despite escalating violence in the region, she has remained committed to the children under her care.
Kidnappings and gang violence have surged in Haiti, with criminal groups controlling large portions of the capital. Recent months have seen a sharp increase in abductions, including the kidnapping of UNICEF staff in July. The UN reports that nearly 350 people were taken hostage in the first half of 2025 alone, alongside thousands killed in gang-related violence.
The ongoing crisis has displaced over a million Haitians, with many forced into makeshift shelters amid deteriorating security and health conditions. International efforts to curb gang dominance have so far yielded little success, leaving civilians vulnerable to further attacks.
No ransom demands have yet been made in connection with the orphanage abduction. Authorities continue to investigate while families and colleagues await news of the missing.
