France has announced that it will arrange special evacuation flights for its ‘most vulnerable’ citizens stranded in Haiti, where political turmoil has disrupted air travel to Port-au-Prince.
Despite the challenging conditions, France’s embassy in Port-au-Prince remains operational and committed to assisting the French community on the ground, stated the French foreign ministry.
With approximately 1,100 French citizens residing in Haiti, many holding dual nationalities, the evacuation flights aim to provide a safe passage for those wishing to leave the country amidst ongoing unrest.
Organised by France’s defence ministry, the evacuation flights are scheduled to commence promptly. Individuals seeking to depart Haiti are advised to contact the French embassy in Port-au-Prince to avail themselves of the evacuation assistance.
The exact number of evacuees expected to utilise the flights remains uncertain, as the situation in Port-au-Prince continues to be volatile. Street battles that erupted in late February persist, leading to the recent resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry under pressure from an alliance of armed gangs controlling much of the capital.
Despite Henry’s resignation, violence persists, exacerbating the plight of Haitians already grappling with severe food shortages amid the wait for the formation of a new transitional government.