Canada arranges helicopter evacuation from Haiti amid crisis

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

On Monday, Melanie Joly, Canada’s Foreign Minister, announced the government’s decision to utilize chartered helicopters for the evacuation of a select group of Canadian nationals from Haiti. This measure comes in response to the severance of commercial flight connections with Port-au-Prince, exacerbated by the country’s descent into political turmoil. Despite initial plans for flights to the Dominican Republic, these were unexpectedly halted due to adverse weather conditions, contradicting prior confirmations of the evacuation’s commencement.

The ministry issued a statement late Monday, clarifying that the planned departures had been delayed and would proceed once the weather permitted. It reassured that all passengers remained in safety, awaiting rescheduled flights. Among the Canadians in Haiti, approximately 30 individuals, identified as vulnerable, have sought assistance for evacuation from a total of 3,000 Canadian citizens present in the nation.

During a press briefing in Ottawa, Joly shed light on the dire situation in Haiti, describing it as a crisis with multiple facets: security, humanitarian, and political. She depicted a scenario where gangs hold sway over the streets, instilling fear among women and children, who are apprehensive about venturing out of their homes, while corruption pervades unchecked.

Joly emphasized the critical need for Canadian nationals’ evacuation, citing the gangs’ control over the airport which has effectively blocked conventional exit routes from Port-au-Prince, putting many families at risk. She identified the Dominican Republic as the most viable exit pathway but noted that evacuation efforts were contingent upon Canadians possessing valid passports.

Exploring alternative evacuation strategies, Joly encouraged Canadians still seeking to leave Haiti to stay informed through her social media channels or the Global Affairs website of Canada. The backdrop to this evacuation effort is the ongoing violent confrontations that began in late February, attributed to gang violence that has engulfed the capital, prompting Prime Minister Ariel Henry to announce his resignation—a move demanded by the gangs. However, his announced departure has yet to quell the violence, with the protracted establishment of a transitional government leaving Haitians to face severe food scarcities.

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