Canada is in the process of completing its evacuation efforts in Haiti, with a third and final flight scheduled to depart from the Caribbean country on Sunday. The Canadian government has helped over 250 Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their close relatives leave Haiti due to the current situation of brazen gang violence, as well as a shortage of food and medicines. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has been closely monitoring the demand for assistance in leaving the country and has determined that no more flights will be necessary. Anyone who wishes to leave Haiti is urged to immediately contact Global Affairs Canada for assistance.
Previously, Canada was using helicopters to transport its citizens from the capital of Port-au-Prince to an undisclosed location, where they would then be flown to Montreal via at least one chartered flight. The first flight departed on Wednesday, followed by another on Friday, with the final flight scheduled for Sunday. Prior to this airlift operation, Canada was evacuating citizens by helicopter to the Dominican Republic, but only those with Canadian passports were allowed to enter, leaving out permanent residents. After Sunday, the evacuation campaign for Canadians in Haiti will come to an end, with those brought to Montreal being required to pay the equivalent of a commercial fare for their transportation.
Those Canadians who were flown to the Dominican Republic during the evacuation process were responsible for arranging their own accommodation and flights home, although Global Affairs Canada offered assistance if needed. The evacuation efforts in Haiti were in response to the escalating violence and instability in the country, which posed a significant risk to the safety and well-being of Canadians living there. The Canadian government has been working to ensure the safe return of its citizens and permanent residents from Haiti, providing support and assistance throughout the evacuation process.
The decision to conduct these evacuation efforts was made in light of the deteriorating situation in Haiti, where gang violence and a lack of essential supplies have created a dangerous environment for those living in the country. The Canadian government has been working closely with its international partners to coordinate the evacuation of its citizens and provide them with the necessary support and resources to facilitate their safe return to Canada. The evacuation operation has involved a combination of air transportation, logistical support, and diplomatic coordination to ensure the successful repatriation of Canadians from Haiti.
Despite the challenges and obstacles faced during the evacuation process, the Canadian government has remained committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens in Haiti. The decision to use helicopters and chartered flights to evacuate Canadians from the country was a strategic response to the escalating violence and instability, which posed a significant threat to the security of Canadians living in Haiti. The completion of the evacuation efforts marks the end of a significant operation to repatriate Canadians from a dangerous and volatile situation, demonstrating the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
