Haitian Gangs Release 13 Captives Following Devastating Mass Kidnapping in Kenscoff

The United Nations has confirmed that six children and seven women, who were abducted last week in the hillside community of Kenscoff, Haiti, have now been released. In a statement issued late on Friday, representatives from UNICEF highlighted the development to draw attention to the severe ongoing crisis affecting youth in Haiti.

“This release offers a rare moment of hope amid the violence threatening children in Haiti,” stated Yannig Dussart, the group’s deputy representative in the country, adding that the abduction was a stark reminder of frequent attacks on children nationwide.

The freed individuals were victims of one of the largest mass abductions in recent memory. On August 23, approximately 150 armed gang members attacked Kenscoff, overlooking Port-au-Prince and Petionville. UN reports indicate that attackers opened fire in the streets and targeted a local Protestant church where residents had sought shelter. At least 47 people were killed during the assault, over 50 were kidnapped, and an estimated 2,647 residents were displaced as homes were set on fire.

This violence compounds a mounting death toll in Haiti, which has faced escalating organized violence and natural disasters. Political instability has further deepened the crisis, particularly following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Subsequent leadership struggles, expired terms of elected officials, and delays in general elections have created vacuums exploited by armed groups.

With gangs previously controlling vast portions of Port-au-Prince, displacement has affected 1.47 million people as of May. Despite interventions by Haitian police and international forces such as the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), security challenges persist. Following government vows to reinforce the Kenscoff area, UN officials continue to urge the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining captives.