(LibertySociety.com) – Christian Aid Ministries, a non-profit entity in Ohio, started its quest to provide aid and spread the word of God to the needy around the world in 1981. To that end, the organization recently sent a group of 17 selfless missionaries to Haiti to build an orphanage for the children there. But before they could leave the country, a prolific criminal group kidnapped them in the capital of Port-au-Prince.
Members of the 400 Mawozo gang snatched the 16 Americans — including 5 children — and 1 Canadian, on October 16 and are holding them for a ransom of $1 million each.
A group of 17 missionaries is being held for ransom in Haiti. The gang who abducted the group is reportedly asking for $17 million. https://t.co/AQ93idSB62
pic.twitter.com/2w96y6XmqQ— 48 Hours (@48hours) October 19, 2021
Following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in July and the country’s devastating earthquake in August, political unrest has been at an all-time high in Haiti, with gangs running much of the country.
This particular group is allegedly responsible for several robberies and other recent kidnappings, including the abduction of several priests and nuns early this year. Still, the US-based ministry wanted to do its part to provide shelter for the children of Haiti during these turbulent times.
It could take weeks for the FBI and Haitian authorities to reach an agreement with the kidnappers to release the victims. In the meantime, the Mission is praying for their safety until they can make their way home again.
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