Dear Haiti Friends,

I am sorry to say that the situation in Mirebalais, a city many of us are very fond of, is dire.  Piecing together news from various friends (for their security I’m not mentioning by name who is on the road or staying behind and hiding):

Background — As you know, Haiti is now not only a major nexus for drug smuggling from South America to the US, it is also at the center of arms smuggling from the US to arm not only the South American cartels and their Haitian gangs in the drug trade, but also to sell for profit to the rest of the world.

A short time ago the National Police interdicted gun runners taking automatic weapons to the Dominican Republic through the border crossing at Beladare, near Lascahobas. The police prevailed, with some gang members killed and the rest jailed in Mirebalais (a city of about 100,000 people.)

Yesterday gangs came in force to the city and were able to overcome resistance and break into the jail, releasing all of the prisoners there.  The National Police continue to battle for control of Mirebalais.

Thousands of people including many of our friends have fled Mirebalais, some in taxis or motos, some on foot.  They are headed for the mountains where many of our partners are, or to Cange, Hinche, or Lascahobas.  Many left with whatever was in their pockets — no food or water.  The challenge of feeding and sheltering them will be a strain on many communities.

Please pray for a speedy return to a just peace for the town of Mirebalais, and for strength for our friends who are extending hospitality and working on behalf of those fleeing the violence.  Your prayers are also asked for the priests who will be receiving refugees or people sheltering in place:  Pere Alphonse in Mirebalais, Pere Deravil in Lascahobas, Pere Gracia in Cange, Pere Michaud in Deslandes, Pere St Vil in Boucan Carre, and Pere Bernier in Hinche.  Pray also for the University Hospital in Mirebalais, built by Partners in Health after the earthquake of 2010, and its staff and patients.

Thanks to Karen Wires for a copy of a Miami Herald article about this terrible event, attached.

https://stmarks-upland.org/wp-content/uploads/Gangs-attack-Mirebalais.pdf