Release of two Haiti hostages gives cause for hope as concern remains for 15 still captive

The release of two of the Christian Aid Ministries hostages held by a gang in Haiti is welcome news for locals following the case and for an organization that tracks kidnappings there.

Holmes County-based Christian Aid Ministries announced Sunday that two of the 17 people being held captive since Oct. 16 have been freed and "are safe, in good spirits, and being cared for," according to a statement posted online.

A spokesperson for the ministries said further details could not be provided, including names of the released hostages and whether they are still in Haiti.

Two hostages freed:Christian Aid Ministries: Two of the 17 Haiti kidnapping victims now free

The organization is keeping its attention and prayers focused on the 15 remaining hostages.

"As we rejoice about the two hostages who were released over the weekend, we continue to pray for the fifteen who are still in captivity," a message posted Monday afternoon on the CAM website reads.

The Associated Press reported that a spokesman for Haiti’s National Police, Gary Desrosiers, confirmed the release of two hostages Sunday. The AP story also said the FBI, which is helping Haitian authorities recover the captives, declined to comment.

Release of hostages 'a good sign'

Dr. Myriam Raber, a Kidron dentist who was born and raised in Haiti, believes the release of the two hostages is a positive sign.

"I'm sure it is a great relief for the family of the released hostages and is providing some hope for the other families," she said. "... It is a good sign when they are releasing people in distress, that there is some humanity there."

Raber, whose nephew and his family were kidnapped in Haiti last Easter, explained kidnapping is like a business in Haiti, and it is not good business when bad things happen to the hostages.

"Especially when it is international with foreigners," she added. 

With little to no local or international support, Raber's family had few options but to raise money for a ransom. Her nephew's family was released after five days captive.

Raber said it is unfortunate for local Haitians who are kidnapped when there is little intervention and media attention.

"When so many are paying attention to what is going on, it shows they had some humanity that they let them go," she said of the two Christian Aid Ministries hostages who were freed.

Why missionary work?:Missionaries have longtime ties to Haiti, aim to 'serve our fellow man' despite dangers

Hostages are not typically held for more than a month in Haiti

The CAM agency notes Monday was the 38th day of captivity for the remaining hostages.

It's uncommon for gangs that proliferate under a weak Haitian government to hold hostages for more than a month. And humanitarian groups are concerned about the rise of abductions this past year, particularly those involving children and women.

While the U.S. government position does not include paying ransoms, some observers see the release of two hostages as a reminder of the difficult negotiations between U.S. and Canadian government officials and Haitian gang members.

"I think this is a good sign, as the negotiations were complex due to the demands of the kidnappers," said Gèdèon Jean, executive director of the Centre d’analyse et de recherche en droits de l’homme, a Haitian nonprofit organization that tracks poverty, kidnappings and humanitarian work in Haiti.

Jean's organization keeps a database of people who are kidnapped in Haiti. "This is the first time," he said, that hostages have been held for more than a month.

"We know the U.S. government is used to dealing with complex kidnappings in other countries," he said. "We believe that they will obtain the release of the 15 others. We share the pain of the relatives of the American victims."

Though the organization paused its work in 2019 and 2020 amid growing safety concerns, Christian Aid Ministries has been active in Haiti since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake killed more than 200,000 people in 2010, leaving many children orphaned.

CAM and authorities connected to the case have offered few details about the kidnappings and have not released names of the victims or specifics about where they are from.

Raber said that helps ensure the safety of everyone involved.

"There are good people working on this case," she said. "Continue to pray."