On Thursday, August 27, 2026, the Haitian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIHC), in a statement, "condemns in the strongest possible terms the heinous massacre perpetrated in Kenscoff," which, according to United Nations data, resulted in at least 47 deaths and 22 injuries, not to mention those taken hostage. It also denounces the increasing number of kidnappings that are tearing families apart, paralyzing economic activity, and plunging the country into anguish.

"This tragedy is unfortunately not an isolated incident. The Haitian people are at their breaking point. They can no longer live in constant fear, close their businesses, abandon their homes, and adapt their daily lives to insecurity. A people cannot build its future in fear, and an economy cannot function sustainably in insecurity.

The CCIHC calls upon the Government, its Head, the security forces, and all State institutions to fully assume their sovereign responsibilities. "It is urgent to move from a primarily reactive approach to a proactive prevention strategy, based on anticipating threats, intelligence gathering, securing vulnerable areas, and protecting the population.

On the eve of the start of the school year, the safety of schools, students, teachers, and families must be an absolute national priority. No child should have their right to education compromised by violence.”

"The CCIHC also calls for increased and concrete support from the international community to help Haiti combat armed groups, strengthen institutions, and protect civilians. It also calls on partner states to take Haiti’s exceptional situation into account in their migration policies and to avoid any mass deportations that could further exacerbate the population’s vulnerability.

Haiti can no longer simply count its dead, wounded, displaced, and hostages. It is time to act, to prevent, to protect, and to rebuild."

IH/ iciHaiti