An American nurse and her child have been kidnapped in Haiti, according to a Christian charity group, only days after the US government ordered all non-essential employees to leave the impoverished Caribbean country due to rising danger.
Alix Dorsainvil and her infant were kidnapped outside Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince on Thursday morning, according to a statement on El Roi Haiti’s website.
She is the wife of the organization’s Haitian director, and the mother and kid were removed from the El Roi site “while serving in our community ministry.”
“Alix is a deeply compassionate and loving person who considers Haiti her home and the Haitian people her friends and family,” El Roi said.
“Alix has worked tirelessly as our school and community nurse to bring relief to those who are suffering as she loves and serves the people of Haiti in the name of Jesus,” the group said.
Their kidnapping came after the U.S. State Department issued an updated travel advisory Thursday, saying Americans in Haiti should depart “as soon as possible … in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.”
The US government is “extremely limited in its ability” to assist Americans in the country who may require emergency assistance, according to the report, which warns that “kidnapping is widespread.”
Washington also ordered all non-essential staff and federal employees’ families to leave Haiti, which has been hit by a series of humanitarian, political, and security issues.
The majority of the capital is controlled by gangs, who harass the inhabitants with kidnappings, rapes, and murders.
The State Department stated on Saturday that it was aware of allegations of two Americans being kidnapped in Haiti.
“We are in regular contact with Haitian authorities and will continue to work with them and our U.S. government interagency partners,” a spokesperson said.
