5 minutes agoInferno fires, 15 children die
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)15 children died in Haiti after a fire swept through an orphanage in the outskirts of the capital. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but by the statements of employees and children allegedly caused by candles used to illuminate in the absence of electricity. The orphanage led by a group of [...]
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but by the statements of employees and children allegedly caused by candles used to illuminate in the absence of electricity.
The orphanage led by a U.S. - based Christian group was one of hundreds in Haiti that acted without official authorization.
Authorities are now working to support and send surviving children to other orphanages.
Ariel Jeanty Wildrow, director of the Institute for Social Goods, said that at the time of the fire, about 60 children were living in the unlicensed orphanage operated by the Pennsylvania-based Church of Library.
“We will put them in a transit centre while doing research on their families and see if we can join their parents,” she told Reuters news agency.
Officials said two children changed their lives from flames, and another 13 died in the hospital as a result of the smoke inhalation.
Local Judge Raymond Jean Antoine told the AFP news agency that the orphanage was not authorised to operate since 2013.
She said she did not meet basic standards, outlining living conditions there as real “, neglected”.
About 30,000 children live in more than 760 orphanages in Haiti, of which 15% are officially registered, according to charity Lumos, which was founded by writer JK Rowling.
About 80% of children living in Haiti's orphanages have at least one parent alive.
