Haiti: Relief and gratitude swept through Haiti and Ireland on Saturday as Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary, was released from captivity along with six staff members of the St. Helene Orphanage and a three-year-old child, ending a harrowing ordeal that had lasted nearly a month.
Heraty, who has dedicated over three decades to humanitarian work in Haiti since 1993, was kidnapped on August 3 alongside the orphanage director, staff, and the young child, when armed gunmen breached the orphanage’s perimeter near the capital, Port-Au-Prince. The institution cares for more than 200 orphans and is operated under the Little Brothers and Sisters International Organization.
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris confirmed the safe release of all hostages, praising the coordinated efforts of the Irish Foreign Ministry in securing their freedom. Heraty’s family also expressed deep gratitude to the government for their relentless support throughout the tense weeks.
This kidnapping marks yet another violent episode in Haiti, a nation plagued by lawlessness and gang violence. While no group has claimed responsibility, incidents targeting orphanages and aid workers are not unprecedented. In 2021, the notorious 400 Mawoza gang abducted 17 missionaries, including five children, holding many for over three months.
The United Nations reports that Haiti has witnessed staggering violence this year, with over 3,000 people killed and 336 kidnapped in just the first half of 2025. The release of Heraty and her companions offers a rare moment of relief amidst the ongoing insecurity that continues to grip the island nation.
This incident underscores the perils faced by humanitarian workers in Haiti and highlights the urgent need for strengthened security measures to protect vulnerable communities.