17 members of a missionary group were kidnapped more than a month ago in Hait. The church organization announced on Sunday that two out of the 17 have been freed and are safe, “in good spirits and being looked after,” in their Ohio-based.

Christian aid ministries issued a statement saying it could not provide the names of those released, why they were freed, or other information.

“While we are delighted at this release, our hearts are with the 15 people who are still being arrested,” the group said.

On 16 October the missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawjo gang. The group of 16 US citizens consists of five children and a Canadian 8-month-old. According to a local human rights organization, their Haitian driver was also kidnapped.

The leader of the 400 Mawjo gang has threatened to kill the hostages if their demands are not met. Authorities have said the gang was seeking $1 million per person, although it was not immediately clear if the group included children.

Haiti’s National Police spokesman Gary Derosiers confirmed to The Associated Press that two hostages were released on Sunday.

As Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings, the US government recently urged US citizens to leave Haiti amid deep insecurity and a severe fuel shortage at gangs blocking gas distribution terminals. On Friday, Canada announced it was removing all essential personnel from its embassy.

Fuel shortages have forced hospitals to turn patients away and paralyzed public transport, with some schools closing and businesses shortening their working hours.

Haiti is also trying to recover from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and the mid-August 7.2 earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

We hope and pray that the remaining 15 missionaries also regain freedom soon.