Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced on Monday that Canada is initiating an operation to facilitate the departure of vulnerable Canadians from Haiti.
Joly stated that eligible Canadians will be transported from Haiti to the neighboring Dominican Republic, from where they can arrange flights back home. Only individuals with valid Canadian passports will qualify for this assistance, although Joly mentioned that the government is exploring alternatives for permanent residents and their families.
Priority will be given to the most vulnerable Canadians, including those with medical conditions or children, according to Joly.
Since the outbreak of violence earlier this month, which saw clashes among rival gangs leading to the closure of the international airport in Port-au-Prince, leaving foreigners stranded amidst a surge of kidnappings, robberies, and violent crime, the government department reported that it has handled 245 inquiries as of March 23.
