Mombin-Crochu

Mombin-Crochu (Kreyol: Monben Kwochi) is a commune in the Vallières Arrondissement of Nord-Est, Haiti.

Mc6 — The mountains surrounding **Mombin-Crochu**, NE, Haiti

"Bourik fè pitit pou do-l ka poze." The donkey makes offspring so that its back may rest.
-Haitian proverb

Overview[]

The lands that would become Mombin-Crochu entered the historical record during the takeover of the first Cacos in 1867. A former outpost of the Trou-du-Nord military district, the settlement became the "South Parish" of the town of Vallières, founded on January 8, 1888, until it officially separated from the northern insurrection, making its submission to the government of President Légitime. It was then incorporated as a district by the decree of August 7th, 1889, and became a municipality in 1951.

The town was founded on the northern portion of the Gouape River, and had an economy based primarily on agriculture, though trade also followed. Located at the tripoint of the Centre, North, and Northeast departments, it has been long considered an important strategic position. The terrain is very rugged at Mombin-Crochu, on a large expanse covered with mountains, forests and marshes. Several streams cross it. There was more residential development in the late 19th century and early 20th century along the roads and waterways. The famous general Salnave was beaten there in 1868 during an era of constant civil wars between various factions. It is widely believed that Salnave had caused uprisings in the area. Today, Mombin-Crochu is mostly known as a remote rural community.

History[]

This former military outpost of the Trou-du-Nord borough was established under the law of September 4, 1881 in the commune of Vallière, bordering Marmelade and Grande Rivière du Nord. It gained historical significance when the first Cacos took up arms in 1867 against Salnave, shortly after his arrival in the Cape following President Geffrard's departure. The location held a crucial strategic advantage, characterized by a narrow passage leading to a plateau surrounded by natural barriers, which was fiercely defended by resolute men under the command of the veteran La Monnaie. On November 27, 1867, at 2 p.m., government forces led by General Nord Alexis swiftly advanced to reclaim the plateau.

Geography[]

According to the IHSI, the commune has a total area of 191.51 square kilometers (73.94 square miles), of which 189.48 km² (99%) is mostly rural and 2.03 km² (1%) is urban. Mombin-Crochu ranks 2nd largest, after Fort-Liberté, of 13 communities in the department in terms of land area, and 50th of the 145 communes of Haiti. The town is bordered by Vallières to the north, Carice to the east, Cerca-la-Source to the southeast, Cerca-Carvajal to the southwest, La Victoire to the west, and Ranquitte to the northwest. Mombin-Crochu's town center is located 56 km (35 miles) southeast of Cap-Haïtien and 105 km (65 miles) northeast of Port-au-Prince.

Mombin-Crochu is a typical community of northeastern Haiti, with mountains, woods and rivers around the town. The Rivière Gouape enters the town through Pignon, as a branch of the Rivière Hyguey. Rivière Lociane, the largest source of water in the town, is located in the southeastern corner of town.

It has two communal sections and a district. It is an interior commune with a mountainous land area and a stable climate.

Demographics The inhabitants are called Mombinois. Population

1998	30,348
2003	25,113	-17%
2009	31,556	+26%
2015	34,700	+9%

Mombin Crochu Michael Vedrine 528 — Commune map of Mombin-Crochu, Haiti

Neighborhoods[]

MBC	Mombin-Crochu		34,700
VMB	Ville de Mombin-Crochu	Urban	2,317
QBL	Quartier de Bois Laurence	Urban	3,480
SSC	1ère Section Sans-Souci	Rural Section	11,552	Bicara, Bois-Verna, Bois Vin Dri, Canga, Carata, Corosse, Fond-Bois, Globe, Goabarie, Grand-Bois, Grande-Savane, Grand Mat, Jodipe, La Cid, Lalia, Nan Guape, Nan Jean-Jeanne, Nan Raque, Pâques, Piton-des-Roches, Terre-Salée, Vimbale.
BCE	2ème Section de Bois-Laurence	Rural Section, District	17,351	Aguamite, Balissage, Bois-de-Laurence, Bois Rouge, Boucan Puce, Colora, Derrière Garde, D'Leau Contrée, Galata, Gardes-A-Georges, Grand Bois, La Cyplaine, Lagon Jonc, La Hatte, Lamercie, Logate, Ma Dokin, Nan Lucas, Nan Macaye, Naqn Mapou, Orange Bois, Passe Citron, Ravine froide, Ravine Pite, Rosolie, Sylvestre. .

Economy[]

Though affluence is rare in Mombin-Crochu, people still have a source of livelihood and it involves agriculture production. Agriculture, livestock and trade are the main economic activities of the municipality. Farmers grow lime, mangoes, and coffee. Tobacco plantations are also popular in the town.

For commercial and economic establishments, twelve grocery stores have been identified in the municipality.

Three restaurants, a reception center, three credit unions and a marketing cooperative center constitute the town's economic and financial infrastructures.

Three popular markets that are not covered and each operate two days a week.

Infrastructure[]

Transportation

Improvement of the town's road infrastructure is in demand. Roads are almost always impassable, with four-wheel trucks being the only vehicles that can travel through some parts of the town.

The road linking the municipality to Ouanaminthe is not in the best condition and the other connecting the commune to the Central Plateau is even worse. They are made of clay. For this reason most residents are used to walking, as access to donkeys and other modes of transportations is difficult.

Mc4 — New Road in Mombin Crochu Is Being built by PICO Haiti Leaders

Education

The Ministry of National Education is not represented in the municipality. The municipality does not have a kindergarten. Several schools including seven public, about a dozen private and six congregational were inventoried in the commune at the primary level. There are also two private secondary schools, a first class high school, a vocational technical school and eight literacy centers.

Not all are satisfied with the quality of the school system. Some parents send their children to Hinche, Ouanaminthe, Fort-Liberté and the wealthiest in Port-au-Prince to receive a more or less adequate education.

Mc10 — Smiles that say a lot; Mombin-Crochu, Haiti

Health

The Ministry of Public Health is not represented in the commune. A team consisting of a doctor, a few nurses and assistants along with a laboratory technician train the health personnel of a hospital and three dispensaries that operate 5 days a week. The clinics are in the communal sections and are almost devoid of materials, so the auxiliaries can not offer good service to the population. In case of diseases, the peasants use traditional medicine or go to the hospital centres of the village, Ouanaminthe, Pignon, the central plateau and even in Port-au-Prince.

Utilities

When it comes to utilities, residents in Mombin-Crochu have to go by without a regular supply of water and electricity because they could not afford it. In order to make fuel and cook, they use charcoal and wood fire.

In terms of water availability, the municipality of Mombin Crochu has five rivers, six springs, three lagoons and public fountains with more than a dozen faucets. At the time of the inventory the commune of Mombin Crochu was not electrified.

Security

At the level of the administrative and judicial infrastructures, the commune of Mombin Crochu counts a police station, two courts of peace, and two registry offices.

Culture[]

Religion Fifty-seven churches were listed in the commune. The Baptist churches are the most numerous, 36 in total.

Mc12 — Center of **Mombin-Crochu**, NE, Haiti, as viewed from the town's Central Park

Communication

This commune has no telephone, radio, newspaper / magazine, no TV station.

Mc11 — Young man grabs a broom; Mombin-Crochu, Haiti

Leisure

The parish hall of the city and that of the Bois de Laurence district serve as a theater. Football (soccer), volleyball, and basketball are the sports practiced by the inhabitants.