Maddalena Boschetti, a lay fidei donum missionary serving in Haiti since 2002, has shared a harrowing account of daily life in the Caribbean nation as gang warfare continues to reshape society. Speaking to Vatican News, Boschetti described a country functionally at war, where open combat zones, soaring prices, and widespread insecurity make basic tasks—such as finding food, traveling, working, and praying—an ongoing daily struggle for millions of residents.
The global spotlight returned to Haiti following a brutal attack in Kenscoff, located on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, on the night of August 23–24. Armed assailants stormed homes and even targeted civilians seeking refuge in a local church, leaving 47 people dead—including many women and children—22 wounded, and over 50 kidnapped. While around 13 hostages were later released, the massacre triggered widespread international condemnation and highlighted the relentless danger facing ordinary citizens.
Following the attack, Pope Leo XIV made a passionate appeal for peace during his Angelus address at Castel Gandolfo. The Pontiff expressed his closeness to the victims, demanded the immediate release of all hostages, and urged authorities to take concrete steps to halt the cycle of violence and ensure public safety. Boschetti noted that the Pope’s message brought immense comfort to the faith community and missionaries on the ground, who often feel forgotten by the outside world.
Despite the temporary news coverage surrounding the Kenscoff attack, Boschetti warned that extreme violence remains a daily reality across Haiti. Recent data from the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti reveals that between April and June 2026 alone, over 1,400 people were killed, more than 650 were injured, and the number of internally displaced persons surpassed 1.4 million. Although security forces have reclaimed minor portions of the capital, gang pressure has simply shifted into the country’s interior, sparking new conflict zones across the central, northern, and southern regions.