Canada has evacuated some of its embassy staff from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on a commercial helicopter charter due to rampant gang violence in the city.
“Due to the volatile security situation, lack of reliable supplies, and the need to support an effective presence in volatile conditions, Canada has temporarily closed its embassies,” Global Affairs Canada said in a written statement. “We are cutting key personnel.” Haiti.
“Transferees will continue to perform their duties from the third country.”
Some Canadian staff departed from the capital this morning on a flight coordinated with the Dominican Republic government. These staff will now work from Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Republic of Haiti.
Canada’s Ambassador Andre-François Giroux remains in Port-au-Prince.
Canada’s layoffs follow a similar move by the United States on Sunday, when U.S. Marines escorted part of Washington’s diplomatic corps out of Haiti. Other Marines remained in Port-au-Prince to provide additional protection for remaining personnel.
The U.S. State Department said in a tweet that “gang violence has increased near U.S. embassies and airports.”
German and EU diplomats also left Port-au-Prince on Monday. German Ambassador Peter Sauer and European Union Ambassador Stefano Gatto are believed to have departed by helicopter for the Dominican Republic, where they were granted exemption to cross the border, which is officially closed to both land and air routes.
Nearly 3,000 Canadian citizens are believed to be in Haiti, mostly in and around the capital. International Affairs Canada warned that their evacuation will be difficult. Port-au-Prince’s main airport has been closed to flights since March 4 because it is in gang territory and has been hit by gunfire on multiple occasions.
No country has yet organized a mass evacuation of its citizens. GAC advised Canadians to “shelter in place” and abide by the curfew.
GAC said: “During this difficult time, the Embassy of Canada continues to support Haiti and Haitians, as well as Canadians remaining in the country. The Embassy of Canada in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, remains temporarily in place.” Stated. However, we continue to provide consular services to Canadians in need of assistance in Haiti.
“Canadians who require consular assistance in Haiti should contact the Embassy at +011 (509) 2-812-9000 or by email at prncecs@international.gc.ca.”
GAC says it has received less than 100 calls to that number so far.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Thursday at an event in Windsor, Ont., that he spoke to Caribbean and other world leaders about what he called a “humanitarian and security disaster” in Haiti. He said he had talked with him.
“Given the ongoing challenges, it’s clear that the international community continues to have a role to play, but if we want sustainable solutions, Haitians themselves need to take the lead,” Trudeau said.
He said Canada is working to build a consensus that “we can reduce violence, we can regain control and there is a path towards full reopening.” [Haitian] Democracy. ”
