An Ohio-based church organization says two of 17 abducted members of a missionary group have been freed in Haiti.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries said Sunday that two of 17 abducted members of a missionary group have been freed in Haiti

  • The group from Christian Aid Ministries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16; There are five children in the group of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian

  • While the organization it could not give the names of those released, why they were freed or other information, it said that the two “are safe, in good spirits and being cared for”

  • The release comes as Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings, with the U.S. government recently urging U.S. citizens to leave Haiti amid deepening insecurity and a severe lack of fuel blamed on gangs blocking gas distribution terminals

"We have learned that two of the hostages in Haiti were released," Christian Aid Ministries wrote in a statement Sunday. "We praise God for this!"

While the organization it could not give the names of those released, why they were freed or other information, it said that the two “are safe, in good spirits and being cared for.”

"We encourage you to continue to pray for the full resolution of this situation," the group added. "While we rejoice at this release, our hearts are with the fifteen people who are still being held. Continue to lift up the remaining hostages before the Lord."

The group from Christian Aid Ministries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16. There are five children in the group of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian. Their Haitian driver also was abducted.

The leader of the 400 Mawozo gang has threatened to kill the hostages unless his demands are met. Authorities have said the gang was demanding $1 million per person, although it wasn’t immediately clear that included the children in the group.

The release comes as Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings, with the U.S. government recently urging U.S. citizens to leave Haiti amid deepening insecurity and a severe lack of fuel blamed on gangs blocking gas distribution terminals. On Friday, Canada announced it was pulling all but essential personnel from its embassy.

The fuel shortage has forced hospitals to turn away patients and paralyzed public transportation, with some schools closing and businesses shortening their work hours.

Haiti also is trying to recover from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck in mid-August, killing more than 2,200 people and destroying tens of thousands of homes.

This is a developing story. Check back later for further updates.