Canada begins Haiti airlift evacuations after weather delay
Global News
Canadian passport-holders are being offered a chance to leave as Haiti undergoes food shortages and escalating violence from armed gangs.
A spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says 36 Canadians have now brought out of Haiti by helicopter.
On Monday, Joly had said the first group of 18 had already left, but Global Affairs Canada later clarified that their departure was put off due to bad weather.
Two groups were flown to safety in the Dominican Republic once the heavy rain and wind conditions subsided.
Joly announced Canada’s evacuation plan for citizens in Haiti on Monday afternoon.
Canadian passport-holders are being offered a chance to leave as Haiti undergoes food shortages and escalating violence from armed gangs.
Joly’s spokeswoman says the minister was told before her Monday press conference that the first group of 18 had just departed, and she only learned about the postponement after talking to reporters.
Global Affairs said the 18 people were safely lodged overnight and flown out Tuesday morning.
Another group of 18 followed.