On March 25th, 2024, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly announced that vulnerable Canadians would be evacuated out of Haiti. People have been unable to leave the nation due to escalating tensions and the danger surrounding the Port-au-Prince airport. Canada is now offering evacuations of nationals by helicopter to the Dominican Republic. Canadians’ safety is being prioritized amid the political chaos in Haiti. The most vulnerable citizens are being assisted first, including people with urgent medical needs and those with children.

Joly described the uncertain, chaotic state of Haiti as “a multi-dimensional crisis: a security crisis, a humanitarian crisis and a political crisis.” There are approximately 3,000 Canadians in Haiti, many of whom are hesitant to leave their homes or extended family. However, those who wish to evacuate are encouraged to contact Global Affairs Canada (G.A.C.). As of the 24th, 300 people had reached out to the G.A.C. seeking help. The United States has additionally increased evacuation methods for citizens to flee the violence.

Canada’s assistance to citizens during these tense moments in Haiti is an admirable effort to protect its people. However, it is a temporary response to the worsening violence. People are living in fear as to what the future of the Caribbean nation of Haiti holds.

Violence has increased in Haiti following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry on March 11. This un-elected leader found himself unable to return to the country following a trip to Kenya to seek a United Nations’ backed security mission to combat gangs’ growing power. Armed gangs have only amassed wealth, influence, and territory under Henry’s administration, and they jumped at the opportunity to pursue further domination through violence once Henry left the country. It is no longer safe for Henry to return, and he is currently residing in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. A transitional council is striving to replace Henry and bring together Haiti’s fractured political groups. Until then, gang fighting continues to devastate the nation at large.

The Haitian government needs to resolve this chaos to preserve the lives of its citizens. Evacuations will continue to increase as the violence does. Canadian elite special forces have been deployed to protect Canada’s embassy in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. This seems necessary considering the extensive violence in the region, yet we need to strive for nonviolent methods to maintain order. Establishing a new government may be the best solution, as a council composed of representatives may effectively consider all stakeholders’ interests and reach a compromise, free from destruction.