Canada is evacuating ‘most vulnerable’ citizens from Haiti: Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canada has airlifted 18 Canadians out of Haiti, as assisted departures began from the Caribbean nation on Monday.
“We know the security situation has deteriorated in recent weeks,” Joly said.
“Now the gangs have taken the airport leaving no way to leave Port-au-Prince without putting families in danger.”
Joly told reporters in Ottawa that Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is prioritizing the most vulnerable Canadians in Haiti first, this includes those with urgent medical needs or have children.
She said that officials have reached out to fewer than 100 Canadians in Haiti so far, and 30 are travel ready and in a position to leave. The minister added that some Canadians have homes in Haiti and are hesitant to leave them behind out of fear they could be seized by gangs while vacant.
Canadians are being flown by helicopter to the Dominic Republic at this point, and Joly said that due to visitor restrictions in the Dominican, this option is only available to Canadian citizens with a valid Canadian passport.
“The closest place to go quickly through our helicopter capacity that we have right now in Haiti is the Dominican Republic,” Joly said.
“We’re also looking at other options.”
According to GAC, there are currently 3,039 Canadians in Haiti registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service. It also said their Emergency Watch and Response Centre has responded to 245 enquiries since March 3, mostly on general travel information and the overall security situation.
Assistant Deputy Minister of Consular, Security, and Emergency Management Julie Sunday says that around 300 people have reached out about being interested in help. She added less than 30 were travel ready within 24
Read more on globalnews.ca
