Albertans who found their way back from Haiti amid gang violence call crisis worst ‘ever seen’
Global News
Earlier this month, a state of emergency and curfews were extended in Haiti.
Two Albertans who only recently were able to escape from Haiti as gang violence continues to keep the Caribbean country in a state of turmoil are speaking out about the ongoing crisis and the gratitude they feel because they are safe.
“I’ve been there probably 10 times,” Barry Kalinski said of the country. “There’s lots that’s got to change in Haiti, everybody knows that. I don’t know what the answer is, but it’s been in turmoil for quite a long time. But it’s really in turmoil now — the worst I’ve ever seen.
“(I have previously been) through roadblocks and I’ve heard gunshots and stuff like that, but never seen it like this.”
Kalinski, the reeve for the Municipal District of Bonnyville, spoke to Global News on Thursday after recently being able to find a way out of the troubled country thanks to a flight organized by U.S. authorities. He noted he was able to make it home just ahead of he and his wife’s 39th wedding anniversary.
“That was the longest we’ve ever been apart,” he said. “It was probably harder on her and my family than it was on me.”
Marc Honorat, who was born and raised in Haiti but now calls Airdrie, Alta., home, spoke to Global News on Friday. Exactly one week earlier, he was finally able to get on a flight to Florida where he was reunited with his family.
“We always have issues in Haiti, but this time it was unexpected,” he said of the escalating violence. “The airport was totally shut down … I didn’t have any way of leaving the country.
“It’s bittersweet actually. I missed my family, my wife and my kids … But at the same time … I left my community, my people, my staff, in this situation there.”