Around 40 Killed in Gang Attack on Displaced People at Haiti Church

Around 40 people have been killed after armed gang members attacked a group of displaced Haitians sheltering inside a church in Kenscoff, a mountainous area near the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Kenscoff Mayor Massillon Jean said the attack took place Sunday night, describing the incident as a “night of terror” in a community that has faced months of violence and armed incursions.

“We have counted around 40 bodies. Searches are continuing. Some people are still missing,” Jean told AFP.

Displaced Camp Targeted

According to the mayor, the attackers raided a church compound being used as a shelter by people who had already fled violence elsewhere.

Jean said several victims were allegedly executed, while dozens of others were wounded. Some people were also reportedly abducted during the attack.

The assault underscores the growing vulnerability of Haiti's internally displaced population, many of whom have been forced from their homes by armed groups controlling large parts of the capital and surrounding areas.

In a statement following the attack, the office of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.

The government also announced plans to deploy additional security forces to the area in an effort to restore order.

Gangs Expand Control

Kenscoff, located southeast of Port-au-Prince, has experienced repeated clashes and incursions by armed groups seeking to expand their territorial control.

Haiti has endured years of political instability, poverty and insecurity, with powerful gangs accused of carrying out killings, kidnappings, looting and sexual violence.

The gangs control large parts of the capital, making it increasingly difficult for authorities to provide security and basic services to vulnerable communities.

The latest attack has added to the country's worsening humanitarian crisis.

According to United Nations figures, nearly 1.5 million Haitians are currently internally displaced, while more than five million people face severe food insecurity in a country of approximately 11 million people.

Political Crisis Deepens Humanitarian Emergency

Haiti's security crisis worsened dramatically in early 2024 when armed groups launched a wave of coordinated violence that contributed to the resignation of the country's unelected prime minister.

The country has also struggled with a prolonged political vacuum. Haiti has not held a national election since 2016, while its last elected president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in July 2021.

A general election is scheduled for December, although the continuing security crisis presents significant challenges to preparations for the vote.

For residents of Kenscoff and thousands of displaced Haitians across the country, the latest attack is another reminder of the devastating consequences of the country's prolonged insecurity.

With armed groups continuing to expand their influence and millions of people facing displacement and hunger, restoring security remains one of Haiti's most urgent challenges ahead of the planned elections.