Haiti security crisis: Feds airlifting vulnerable Canadians out, Joly says

We know that the Haitian people have been facing multi-dimensional crisis a security crisis a humanitarian crisis and a political crisis gangs are terrorizing the streets women and children are scared of getting out of their homes and Corruption is running rampant and now the gangs have taken the airport leaving

No way to leave PA PR without putting families in danger as a government our number one priority is always the safety of Canadians at home and abroad for nearly 2 years we have advised Canadians not to travel to Haiti due to the security situation in the country at the

Same time we know that the security situation has deteriorated in recent weeks and those who wish to leave are unable to do so because of the security situation at the airport in PA PR this is why today we are launching an assisted departure for the most vulnerable Canadians in Haiti

We have also deployed diplomats and Consular agents across the the the region to make sure that we can support this work we will be facilitating the travel of the most vulnerable Canadians in Haiti to the Dominican Republic at present the Dominican Republic has strict legility requirements for all

Those entering the country only Canadian citizens who have a valid Canadian passport will be eligible for this assisted departure the same requirements applies to our Alli and our partners including the US this is why we are working for other Canadian and family members as well as permanent residents

And their family members to be able to have access to other types of assisted departure options Canada has a policy of not separating families this is my priority and since Canadians are in particularly vulnerable situations right now we’ve made the decision the decision to begin the oper ation now with these parameters in

Mind with the passort requirement of the Dominican Republic in mind Global Affairs Canada has reached out to Canadians who have inquired about departure options to inform them of this option this list is currently less than 100 people with less than 30 Canadians interested in leaving immediately we are prioritizing the most vulnerable

Canadians for example those who have a medical condition or those who have children 18 of those individuals left today and will continue throughout the week the difference is now the uh airport is not functional the security situation is untenable at the airport and all commercial flights have been

Cancelled and that is why in these circumstances it is important for us to be able to bring Canadians to safety the closest place to go uh quickly through our uh helicopter capacity that we have right now in Haiti is the Dominican Republic and that is why we’re doing so

Through the Dominican Republic but as I mentioned we’re also looking at other options

The federal government is launching an effort to get vulnerable Canadians out of Haiti amid the escalating security crisis in the country, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Monday.

Joly said Global Affairs Canada is focused right now on evacuating the most vulnerable Canadians, including those with medical conditions or with children. She said they will be airlifted by helicopter to the Dominican Republic.

“At present the Dominican Republic has strict eligibility requirements for all those entering the country—only eligible Canadian citizens who have a valid Canadian passport will be eligible for this departure,” Joly said.

Joly says 18 vulnerable Canadians were airlifted out of the country on Monday and fewer than 30 have requested immediate assistance leaving the country.

For more info, please go to
Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE:
Like Global News on Facebook HERE:
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE:
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE:
#GlobalNews #haiti

Reference