(ZENIT News / Port-au-Prince, 10.31.2024).- In a tragic escalation of violence, the Missionaries of Charity convent in Bas Delmas, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was attacked and burned by an armed group on the night of October 26. The assailants, led by Jimmy Chérizier—infamously known as «Barbecue»—looted the convent and adjoining dispensary before setting the premises ablaze, devastating a mission that has served the local community since its establishment by Mother Teresa in 1979.
Sister Paësie, founder of the Family of Kizito, shared the news through Camillian missionary Father Cyprian. «Stolen items are now openly sold in the market near the San José school,» Sister Paësie reported, reflecting the harsh reality faced by the mission after years of selfless service. The convent had provided free medical care to nearly 1,500 inpatients and 30,000 outpatients each year, fulfilling a vital role in one of Haiti’s most vulnerable communities.
Bas Delmas, the area around the convent, has long been considered the stronghold of Chérizier, a former police officer who now commands a powerful criminal network. Known for his influence across Haiti, Chérizier opposes U.S.-led stabilization efforts and has framed his violent actions as a crusade to «free the island from corrupt politicians and oligarchs.» This rhetoric, however, is little comfort to residents, who live under constant threat in a nation where security has crumbled, leading to a devastating humanitarian crisis.
In response to the worsening violence, the United Nations-backed Multinational Support Mission is expanding its presence in Haiti. Recently, El Salvador’s parliament approved the deployment of Salvadoran military personnel to join this mission. Initially launched through a July agreement between Haiti and Kenya, the mission now includes El Salvador, with Salvadoran forces tasked with overseeing critical medical evacuations.
As the crisis deepens, international support is proving essential, but the assault on the Missionaries of Charity serves as a sobering reminder of the risks facing those who continue to serve Haiti’s most vulnerable amidst the turmoil.
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