US-based mother and daughter reportedly abducted in Haiti; citizens cautioned against visiting

An American woman employed by a nonprofit organization in Haiti, along with her young daughter, have reportedly been abducted, prompting the U.S. State Department to issue a travel warning for the nation and to instruct nonessential personnel to evacuate due to escalating safety issues.

Alix Dorsainvil, a nurse associated with El Roi Haiti, and her daughter were reportedly abducted on Thursday, according to a statement made by the organization on Saturday. El Roi, which manages a school and a ministry in Port au Prince, reported that the pair were seized from their campus. Dorsainvil is the spouse of the program’s director, Sandro Dorsainvil.

“Alix is an individual who exhibits profound compassion and love, viewing Haiti as her home, and its people as her friends and kin,” said Jason Brown, El Roi’s president and co-founder, in the statement. “In the name of Jesus, Alix has put her heart and soul into her role as our school and community nurse, providing aid to those in need and showing love and service to the people of Haiti.”

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On Saturday, a spokesperson for the State Department stated that they are “aware of the reports about the abduction of two U.S. citizens in Haiti,” adding, “We maintain regular communication with Haitian authorities and will continue to collaborate with them and our U.S. government interagency colleagues.”

In the warning issued on Thursday, the department highlighted that “kidnappings are rampant, and victims frequently include U.S. citizens.”

The statement revealed that kidnappings often lead to ransom negotiations and that physical harm has been inflicted upon U.S. citizen victims.

Earlier this month, a warning about a spike in murders and kidnappings was published by the National Human Rights Defense Network, and the UN Security Council convened to discuss the deteriorating situation in Haiti.

According to WMUR-TV, Dorsainvil hails from Middleton, New Hampshire, and attended Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, which runs a program in support of nursing education in Haiti.

Toni Hays, the president of Regis College, told the station, “It doesn’t surprise me that Alix chose to dedicate herself to this kind of service. She was exceptional, passionate, and empathetic.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kidnapping in Haiti

More about Kidnapping in Haiti

• US State Department Travel Advisories
• El Roi Haiti Official Website
• National Human Rights Defense Network Reports
• Regis College Nursing Program
• UN Security Council Statements on Haiti