An attack by armed groups in the hillside town of Kenscoff on Sunday resulted in at least 47 deaths and the displacement of more than 2,600 people. According to reports from the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), some victims were killed near a local police station, while others were kidnapped. The town has experienced more than a dozen similar attacks since last year.
The violence occurs as Haiti prepares for its first elections in ten years, currently scheduled for December 2026. The Haitian government first requested a U.N.-backed multinational force in 2022 to address civil instability, though the full deployment of these foreign security forces is still pending.
Data released by BINUH shows that 3,050 people were killed in Haiti during the first half of 2026. Since the beginning of 2022, the total death toll has exceeded 21,000. Reports indicate that security operations this year have resulted in 1,733 deaths, including 229 civilians with no gang affiliations and 18 children. No investigations have been opened into the deaths of the children to date.
Sexual violence and kidnappings have also increased. BINUH recorded 1,088 victims of sexual violence in the first half of 2026, a 13% increase over the same period in 2025. Ransom kidnappings rose 47% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the first three months of the year, involving victims ranging from business owners to senior government officials.
The conflict has resulted in the internal displacement of 1.47 million people, or about 12% of the total population, who are currently living in makeshift camps or with acquaintances. This is an increase of 40,000 people since the end of 2025. The economic impact is felt through the disruption of agricultural regions and the targeting of professionals and officials for ransom, which BINUH suggests is likely underreported due to a lack of trust in authorities and fear of retaliation.
The upcoming elections, the first since 2016, are scheduled for December 13, 2026, for the presidency and general assembly, followed by a second round on February 21, 2027. However, officials noted that these dates are conditional on achieving a level of security that allows for a free and fair vote. The political landscape remains complicated by the Viv Ansanm alliance, a coalition of armed groups led by former policeman Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, who has characterized the alliance as a political movement.