Overview of the Attack

In a harrowing episode marking the escalating violence in Haiti, a gang assault in central Haiti last week has left a community reeling and at least 70 people confirmed dead, including infants, women, and the elderly. Survivors of this horrifying attack on the town of Pont-Sonde, situated about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Port-au-Prince, shared their chilling experiences of waking to the sounds of gunfire and fleeing for their lives.

Survivor Accounts

Jina Joseph, a survivor of the massacre, recounted, “They tried to murder everyone,” painting a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued. Many residents, like 60-year-old Sonise Morino, expressed despair, saying, “We don’t know what we are going to do. We have nowhere to go.” As thousands sought refuge, countless families walked for hours in search of safety, with many having to crowd into makeshift shelters, including a church and a public plaza in the nearby coastal city of Saint-Marc.

Gang Violence in Haiti

The attack by the Gran Grif gang is a stark reminder of the rampant violence and instability that has taken hold of Haiti, particularly in the Artibonite region. This incident was reportedly retaliation against local self-defense groups attempting to thwart the gang from imposing tolls on roads, highlighting the dire conditions faced by ordinary Haitians. The International Organization for Migration reported that the attack resulted in the displacement of over 6,270 people, most of whom sought shelter with family and friends amidst the chaos.

Government Response

“These deaths are unimaginable,” remarked Mayor Myriam Fievre during a visit with bereaved families. Sadly, this massacre represents one of the largest in recent history for central Haiti.

Compounding the tragedy are recent statistics from the United Nations, which reported a staggering 3,661 deaths attributed to gang violence just in the first half of 2024. This alarming trend has prompted response from Haiti’s interim Prime Minister, Garry Conille, who stated defiantly, “To those who sow terror, I say this: You will not break our will.” Despite his courageous words, Conille admitted last month that Haiti is "nowhere near winning" the battle against well-armed gangs that have taken control of swathes of territory.

International Involvement

In an effort to restore some semblance of order, the United Nations Security Council has extended a Kenya-led multinational policing mission mandated to combat gang violence. However, the mission is struggling to gain traction due to issues with funding and resources, as highlighted by a UN expert last month.

Conille has since taken his appeals for help internationally, visiting Kenya and the United Arab Emirates this week to garner assistance in the fight against escalating gang power. As the situation remains precarious, many Haitians continue to hope for a return to peace, security, and justice in a country longing for normalcy.