The FBI is assisting Haitian authorities in their efforts to negotiate the safe release of a group of missionaries kidnapped by a gang in the troubled country, according to the White House.

The kidnappings have put Haiti in the spotlight again after a turbulent few months, including a devastating earthquake and presidential assassination - although gangs' violence and use of kidnapping for ransom have plagued the Haitian people for years.

The State Department said Sunday its officials have been in "regular contact" with Haitian authorities "and will continue to work with them and interagency partners" to recover the group, a spokesperson told ABC News.

The Ohio-based ministry Christian Aid Ministries confirmed in a statement that a group of 17 people, including five children, were "abducted" while on a trip to an orphanage on Saturday.

"We request urgent prayer for the group of Christian Aid Ministries workers who were abducted while on a trip to visit an orphanage on Saturday, October 16," Christian Aid Ministries said Sunday.