The United Nations (UN) has reported that at least 47 people were killed, 22 wounded and more than 52 abducted in a gang attack on August 23rd, 2026, in Kenscoff, a commune on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.
In a press briefing note issued on Aug 28th, 2026, the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Marta Hurtado described the assault as a stark reminder of the persistent brutality of gang violence against local and displaced populations in Haiti.
According to verified information, approximately 150 heavily armed gang members stormed several localities near downtown Kenscoff and opened fire on residents attempting to flee, killing at least 13 people.
The attackers then pursued more than 50 residents who had sought refuge in a Protestant church. After forcing them out, they executed 22 people in the church courtyard and 12 others behind the church.
As the gang withdrew, members abducted 52 people, including one boy and four girls. In an audio recording circulated on social media the following day, the gang threatened to execute the hostages if security operations against them continued.
The note said illicit flows of firearms and ammunition continue to empower armed groups despite a United Nations arms embargo on Haiti in place since 2022. On 24 August, another gang in Port-au-Prince appeared to display on social media what seemed to be a new shipment of weapons from abroad.
Between April 1st and June 30th, 2026, the Human Rights Service of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti recorded 1,408 people killed and 656 injured in gang-related violence. In the same period, 326 people were subjected to sexual violence, a figure likely to be substantially higher because of under-reporting.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on Haitian authorities to enhance protection of affected communities, ensure independent investigations, and promptly operationalize specialised judicial units created to investigate mass crimes.
He also urged acceleration of the deployment of the Gang Suppression Force in strict compliance with international human rights law and full adherence to the UN arms embargo.
