Haiti: Montfort Institute dismayed by vandalism of its premises

Croix-des-Bouquets (Haiti), August 9, 2024 (AlterPresse) – The Montfort Institute, which welcomes deaf and mute children, expressed its disappointment after armed men vandalized its premises in the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets (northeast), the online agency AlterPresse noted, which will take place from the evening of Friday, August 2, 2024 to Saturday, August 3.

Observations show how farms, schools (classical and professional parts), residences, dormitories, workshops have been the object of systematic looting, reports Lamercie Estinfort, director of the Montfort Institute, in a note dated August 7, 2024 addressed to donors, friends of the institution.

“That night, all the livestock on the farm was taken away by thieves who took over Montfort Institute trucks and utes to carry out the crime,” she continued.

“For nearly two years, we have been withstanding the pressure of growing insecurity in the region until this critical, painful and tragic moment. We cannot hide our tears as so much of our efforts and sacrifices to support the deaf children entrusted to our care quickly collapse.”

Located in the Duval 30 district in the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets, the Montfort Institute is a school dedicated to the care, training and education of Haitian deaf children.

The institution is run by the “Daughters of Wisdom” with contributions from support staff, parents, friends, donors who instill and emphasize a sense of appreciation and achievement in them.

The commune of Croix-des-Bouquets is threatened by armed bandits from the group Chapter 400an atmosphere of terror has been created there since 2021.

On the evening of Friday, May 17, 2024, through Saturday, May 18, 2024, the gang Chapter 400 The police station at the Croix-des-Bouquets civil prison was destroyed using an excavator.

With the new attacks on Sunday, July 21, 2024, armed gangs Chapter 400 In Gantir, More than 3,800 people were forced to seek refuge in Fountains, Paris in three daysincluding the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 6, 2024, armed groups launched a new round of attacks in the towns of Cabaret and Arcahie (north of the capital), killing about 10 people and injuring another person with bullets..

Robbers from the Canaan area killed nine (9) people and burned five (5) houses in Cabaret.

Despite the resistance put up by the police with the cooperation of the people, the gang members still murdered one person and injured another in Akae.

Some families had to leave the area in a hurry when armed bandits attacked. (mff emb 2024-04-08 09:30 pm)

Photo: Montfort Institute Facebook page