An American nurse and her child were abducted in Haiti on Thursday, according to reports from the Christian charity she worked for.
The ministry El Roi Haiti, founded by Sandro Dorsainvil announced on Friday that his wife and staff member, Alix Dorsainvil and their child had been kidnapped from their campus near Port au Prince whilst serving in a community ministry.
Alix, originally from New Hampshire first visited Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and is said to have “fallen in love with the people.” She has worked as a school nurse for El Roi Haiti since 2020 and married the company’s director in 2021.
"Haitians are such a resilient people. They're full of joy and life and love," she said in a promotional video on the ministry’s website. "I'm so blessed to be able to know so many amazing Haitians."
The age and gender of the child is not confirmed.
The charity has called on Christians to pray for their protection and safe return, stating “we are entrusting this to our mighty God who sees, knows, and cares.”
"Please pray and cry out to Jesus, that He would hold our friends safely in His hands and place a hedge of protection around them as He makes their path straight back to us and to freedom."
The organisation says it is working with authorities and partners in the United States and Haiti to secure their freedom. A spokesperson for the US State Department told NPR that the administration is aware of reports that two US citizens had been kidnapped in Haiti and the state department is in regular contact with Haitian authorities.
"The U.S. Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas," the spokesperson said.
A statement on El Roi’s website reads: “Alix is a deeply compassionate and loving person who considers Haiti her home and the Haitian people her friends and family. 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.
“Thank you for your support and compassion during this on-going situation. We would request that no attempts be made to contact the family for comment at this time.”
