Haiti — humanitarian situation

Armed violence across Haiti has intensified and expanded geographically since mid-April 2026, with gang-related attacks spreading from Port-au-Prince into Artibonite, the central region, and South-East departments ICRC. A massacre during the night of 23–24 August in Kenscoff, near Port-au-Prince, killed at least 47 people and injured 22, with dozens reportedly abducted, including displaced persons sheltering in a church (Amnesty International, United Nations). The attack triggered fresh displacement in the municipality between 23–25 August IOM. Between April and June 2026, 1,408 people were killed and 656 injured nationwide, with gangs responsible for 55 percent of deaths, self-defense groups and civilians for 5 percent, and security force operations against gangs for 40 percent BINUH. Gang expansion in Artibonite department and Village de Dieu gang incursions into South-East department were documented during this period. Kidnappings increased between April and June, with 51 victims recorded in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, while at least 796 victims of gang-related sexual violence were reported BINUH. In Saint-Michel de l'Attalaye on 28 July, twelve heavily armed individuals attacked the 7th communal section of Marmont, establishing an illegal checkpoint on market day (ACTED, AVSI, IMPACT Initiatives). Access to essential health services remains severely constrained in Port-au-Prince, where armed violence is undermining an already fragile health system MSF. Women face life-threatening risks attempting to reach sexual and reproductive healthcare, including contraceptives, prenatal care, and post-assault treatment MSF. Areas previously considered safe are now becoming inaccessible due to expanding violence, raising concerns about increased humanitarian consequences if adequate precautions are not taken during offensive operations ICRC. Funding constraints are compounding operational challenges. The Regional Humanitarian Pooled Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean responded to escalating conflict, violence, displacement, and climate-related shocks in Haiti during 2025, though the funding environment remained constrained OCHA. Funding reductions mapped between March and May 2026 have impacted protection partners' capacities, with specific effects on child protection programming and coordination across cluster operations (Protection Cluster, UNHCR).