After being held captive for 13 days, American nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter have been safely released from kidnapping in Haiti. The pair were abducted from the community ministry where Dorsainvil works in Port-au-Prince on July 27. The organization they were associated with, El Roi Haiti, expressed immense joy and gratitude for their release.
"It is with a heart of gratitude and immense joy that we at El Roi Haiti confirm the safe release of our staff member and friend, Alix Dorsainvil, and her child, who were held hostage in Port au Prince, Haiti. Today we are praising God for answered prayer," the statement read.
US Government's Response
El Roi Haiti has requested privacy for Dorsainvil and her family as they process the traumatic event, stating, "There is still much to process and to heal from in this situation."
The U.S. State Department welcomed the reports of the release, emphasizing that the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas are their top priorities. The Haitian National Police have declined to comment on the matter as it remains under investigation. The identity of the kidnappers and their motivations are still unclear.
The kidnapping incident, involving a man brandishing a gun, was witnessed by a patient awaiting a medical checkup. The patient, Lormina Louima, recounted to The Associated Press, "When I saw the gun, I was so scared. I said, 'I don't want to see this; let me go.'"
According to CNN, the alarming event occurred on the same day the U.S. State Department ordered the departure of non-emergency government personnel from Haiti. The security situation in the country has deteriorated, leading to a travel advisory from the US Embassy in Haiti urging US nationals to leave the country due to recent clashes between criminal groups and police in the capital.
Port-au-Prince has been plagued by a growing kidnapping-for-profit epidemic over the last few years. Hundreds of Haitians have been targeted for ransom payments, with foreigners also occasionally falling victim to these crimes. In 2021, 17 missionaries from the United States and Canada were taken hostage by a local gang. A recent UN report notes 1,014 kidnappings in Haiti from January to June this year, including 256 women, 13 girls, and 24 boys.
Dorsainvil's Connection to Haiti
Dorsainvil, originally from New Hampshire, has been serving as a nurse for El Roi Haiti since 2020. She married the director of the organization, Sandro Dorsainvil, in 2021. Her connection to Haiti began with a visit after the 2010 earthquake, which led her to fall in love with the people. Dorsainvil has spent subsequent breaks from school and summers visiting Haiti, even funding her trips to the Caribbean nation.
The kidnapping of Dorsainvil and her daughter prompted a demonstration by students from El Roi Haiti and other residents, demanding their release. The community held the beloved nurse and her daughter in high regard.
The kidnapping and subsequent release of Dorsainvil and her daughter highlight the increasingly volatile situation in Haiti, where law enforcement struggles to keep pace with rampant criminal activities. While their release is celebrated, it casts a spotlight on the broader issue of safety and security in the region, leading to growing concerns among both local citizens and international observers.
