Canada begins evacuating vulnerable citizens from Haiti

As gang violence increases, the Canadian government has started evacuating citizens from Haiti, giving priority to those who are most vulnerable, according to Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.

The number of foreigners leaving Haiti has increased recently as violent gangs are gaining more territory in the city and beyond, casting doubt on the country’s political future.

Thousands have reportedly died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the fighting.

Commercial flights have been suspended as a result of a wave of attacks this month that included raids on police stations and the international airport.

Canada will initially be facilitating travel to the Dominican Republic which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti for vulnerable Canadians, such as those who need medical attention or those with children, Joly told reporters in Ottawa.

Around 30 Canadians who are “travel ready” with the necessary documents have so far come forward to leave, authorities said.

According to Joly, the Canadian government was developing additional possibilities for family members of citizens and permanent residents to leave the country.

Meanwhile, last week saw the start of the US’s helicopter-based citizen evacuation from Haiti.

According to the US State Department, four more helicopter evacuation flights from Haiti are slated for Tuesday in addition to the three that were scheduled for Monday.

US State Department spokeswoman Matthew Miller, Washington says over 340 U.S individuals have been assisted to safely leave Haiti since March 17 and is looking into further options for evacuating US citizens.