PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP):

Two of 17 members of a missionary group who were kidnapped more than a month ago have been freed in Haiti and are safe, “in good spirits, and being cared for,” their Ohio-based church organisation announced Sunday.

Christian Aid Ministries issued a statement saying it could not give the names of those released, why they were freed, or other information.

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

The missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on October 16. There are five children in the group of 16 US citizens and one Canadian, including an eight-month-old. Their Haitian driver also was abducted, according to a local human-rights organisation.

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 US$1 million per person, although it wasn’t immediately clear that included the children in the group.

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

The FBI, which is helping Haitian authorities recover the captives, declined to comment.

The release comes as Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings, with the US government recently urging American 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.