Canada will have an additional evacuation flight out of Haiti next week after a last-minute spike in the number of requests to flee the Caribbean country.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Odelyn Joseph
Canada has announced plans to provide an additional evacuation flight from Haiti next week due to a sudden increase in requests to leave the Caribbean nation. This decision comes as Canada was preparing to conclude its evacuation efforts. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly revealed that a significant number of last-minute requests for assistance were received just before the scheduled departure of the last government-sponsored flight from Haiti.
Joly conveyed this information via a message on social media, highlighting the surge in requests that prompted the decision to arrange an extra evacuation flight. She assured those who missed the opportunity to depart on the initial flight that another opportunity would be available in the upcoming week.
The evacuation efforts come against the backdrop of escalating violence and a dire humanitarian situation in Haiti, marked by widespread gang violence and severe shortages of essential supplies like food and medicine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the challenging circumstances in Haiti and emphasized Canada's commitment to supporting vulnerable Canadians and contributing to stability and security efforts in the country. Trudeau reiterated Canada's ongoing involvement in supporting the Haitian national police and participating in diplomatic efforts to promote democratic stability in Haiti.
Regarding the evacuation process, Joly confirmed that the decision to organize an additional flight was made in response to the mounting requests for assistance. She had previously announced that no further flights were anticipated, but the influx of requests necessitated a reconsideration of this decision. Joly also mentioned Canada's use of helicopters to transport individuals from Port-au-Prince to an undisclosed location, followed by chartered flights to Montreal. This method was implemented after the conclusion of scheduled government-sponsored flights.
The evacuation process commenced with helicopter transfers to the Dominican Republic, exclusively for Canadian citizens holding passports. However, permanent residents were not included in this initial phase. Those transported to the Dominican Republic were responsible for arranging their own accommodations and return flights to Canada, with support from Global Affairs as needed.
Earlier in the week, Global Affairs Canada reported facilitating the departure of over 250 Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members from Haiti. This evacuation effort underscores Canada's commitment to assisting its citizens and residents during times of crisis, ensuring their safety and well-being amid challenging circumstances.
In summary, Canada's decision to organize an additional evacuation flight from Haiti reflects its commitment to providing support and assistance to individuals affected by the ongoing crisis in the Caribbean nation. The evacuation efforts aim to ensure the safety and security of Canadian citizens and residents amidst escalating violence and humanitarian challenges in Haiti.
