Canada has taken steps to assist vulnerable citizens in Haiti amid a surge in gang violence, political instability, and a humanitarian crisis. The Canadian government has organized helicopter flights for Canadian citizens with medical conditions or children to leave Haiti for the neighboring Dominican Republic. Only Canadian citizens with a valid passport are eligible for this assistance, and 18 citizens had already left Haiti via this program. The decision to evacuate Canadians comes as armed gangs continue to attack state institutions and demand the resignation of the unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
The situation in Haiti has led to over 360,000 individuals being displaced from their homes, while others remain trapped without access to basic necessities like food and water. Gangs have taken control of a large majority of neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince, leading to growing concerns about the country’s ability to address the humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian agencies have warned of a looming food crisis, as armed groups have looted containers of aid and the main airport in the capital remains closed due to the violence. Basic tasks like shopping for groceries or seeking medical attention have become increasingly difficult in the violence-stricken city.
The logistics of Canada’s evacuation program involve evacuees reaching a secure gathering point before being flown to the Dominican Republic by helicopter. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly emphasized the need for secrecy regarding the details of the operation to prevent it from being targeted by gangs. Canada is also exploring other options to assist Canadians, including permanent residents, and their families in leaving Haiti. The United States has also initiated helicopter evacuations from Haiti to the Dominican Republic, with American citizens then responsible for arranging onward travel to the US.
With the United States being home to a large Haitian diaspora community, efforts to evacuate citizens have been underway since mid-March. More than 230 US citizens have left Haiti via helicopter flights, and the evacuations have been taking place from both Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien. The US government-chartered flights are part of the response to the escalating violence and unrest in Haiti, providing a means for American citizens to leave the country and return to the US. The situation in Haiti continues to be of concern, prompting both Canada and the US to take steps to ensure the safety of their citizens in the midst of the crisis.
