Armed gangs killed approximately 40 people [1] during an attack on a church sheltering displaced residents in Kenscoff, Haiti, on Sunday night.
The massacre highlights the extreme vulnerability of displaced populations in Haiti as gang violence expands beyond the capital of Port-au-Prince into surrounding towns.
Mayor Masiyon Jan said the town experienced a "night of horror." He said officials have counted about 40 bodies [1], though search operations are continuing and several people remain missing.
The attack occurred in Kenscoff, a town located near the capital. The church had been serving as a sanctuary for people forced from their homes by ongoing instability.
This violence is part of a months-long campaign by armed groups operating in the areas surrounding the capital [1]. These gangs have increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure, and those seeking refuge from the conflict.
Local authorities have not yet provided details on the motives behind the specific targeting of the church or the number of attackers involved. The death toll may rise as recovery efforts continue in the area [1].
“"A night of horror"”
The attack in Kenscoff demonstrates that religious sanctuaries and shelters for the displaced no longer provide safety from Haiti's gang warfare. By targeting a church, armed groups are signaling a disregard for traditional safe havens, which complicates humanitarian efforts to protect civilians fleeing the violence in Port-au-Prince.
