OTTAWA, Canada: Canada on Monday started to evacuate by helicopter a limited number of its citizens from conflict-hit Haiti after commercial air links with Port-au-Prince were cut amid political chaos.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told a press conference here Monday that Gangs were terrorizing the streets while women and children were scared of leaving their homes.
He said that out of 30 vulnerable Canadians who requested assistance to leave the Caribbean country, 18 have been airlifted to neighbouring Dominican Republic. He said that the rest are expected to follow in the days to come. There are a total of about 3,000 Canadians currently residing in Haiti.
Joly told the media that the Haitian people have been facing a multi-dimensional crisis: a humanitarian crisis, a security crisis and a political crisis. He said corruption is running rampant in the country.
“And now the gangs have taken the airport, leaving no way to leave Port-au-Prince without putting families in danger,” she added.
She further said that under the circumstances, it became important for them to bring Canadians to safety.
Joly said the Dominican Republic offers a quickest escape route. However, she noted that any Canadians in Haiti wanting to be evacuated must have a valid passport.
Street battles erupted in Port-au-Prince in late February and part of a wave of gang violence has prompted the promised resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
As the formation of a transitional government drags on, ordinary people in the country are suffering serious food crisis.
