LIVE: Family of Irish woman kidnapped in Haiti pray for her 'safe return’
Mayo woman Gena Heraty is the Director of Special Needs Programmes at Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs, an organisation that supports children and young adults living with disabilities
The family of Mayo woman Gena Heraty are "absolutely devastated by the awful news that Gena and seven of her colleagues were kidnapped from the orphanage grounds in Kenscoff, Haiti."
The popular humanitarian has lived and worked in Haiti since 1993 and is the Director of Special Needs Programmes at Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS), an organisation that supports children and young adults living with disabilities. NPFS is part of the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) network.
In a statement, issued to The Mayo News / Mayo Live, the Heraty family "ask that you keep Gena and her colleagues in your hearts as we pray for their safe return."
They describe the situation as 'evolving and deeply worrying.'
"We are working closely with NPFS in Haiti and Ireland, the Irish Government, and international partners who are doing everything possible to ensure the safe and immediate release of Gena and her colleagues.
"NPFS Haiti is working actively to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of all the children and workers at the orphanage in Kenscoff during this challenging time."
Ms Heraty's family say that "out of respect for the ongoing efforts and for Gena’s safety, we are not in a position to share further details at this time."
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it's aware of the incident and is providing consular assistance.