Since the beginning of March, Haiti, faced with a deep political and security crisis, has experienced an escalation of violence with the alliance of gangs attacking Port-au-Prince. In response, France organized, this Sunday, March 24, evacuation flights for its “most vulnerable” citizens in the face of the insecurity plaguing the Haitian capital. Identified French nationals will be directed to Martinique or Guadeloupe.
According to an AFP report, the French government has taken “exceptional measures” in response to the crisis situation in Haiti, by organizing special flights for the evacuation of “its most vulnerable nationals”.
These flights, undertaken by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, “will begin on the same day it was announced that commercial air links with Port-au-Prince were interrupted”, indicates the Quai d’Orsay. In this difficult context, “the French embassy in Port-au-Prince continues to operate and provide essential support to the French community there.”affirming its commitment despite the precarious security conditions.
This decision follows a period of heightened violence since the beginning of March, where armed groups intensified their attacks against strategic sites, accentuating the political and security instability in the country.
A demonstration against violence and insecurity in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. • ©ODELYN JOSEPH / AP
The method of these evacuations is not traditional. It takes place mainly by air and sea means due to the interruption of commercial flights. Affected French nationals, particularly the elderly and those requiring medical care, as well as their families, will be evacuated by helicopter to a helicopter carrier.
Then, they will be transported by sea to Guadeloupe or Martinique. This device illustrates unprecedented coordination between different services of the French State to guarantee the security of its citizens in Haiti. The ministry has not yet specified the exact number of people who requested this evacuation, emphasizing the scale of the crisis and the complex response it requires.
Immigrants “are invited to report to the French embassy in Port-au-Prince at +509 29 99 90 90 if they have not already done so“, indicates the ministry.
Soldiers guard the entrance to the international airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, March 4, 2024. • ©ODELYN JOSEPH / AP
This development comes in a context where Haiti is facing an unprecedented political and security crisis, exacerbated by the alliance of several gangs determined to destabilize the government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
The latter’s resignation on March 11 opened the way for negotiations to establish a transitional government, in the hope of restoring stability to the country. The situation in Haiti therefore remains extremely tense.