France charters special flights to evacuate its vulnerable nationals

Haiti, already the victim of a very serious political and security crisis, has been plagued by renewed violence since the beginning of March, when several gangs joined forces to attack strategic locations in Port-au-Prince.

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Haitian-American nationals landed in Miami, Florida on March 21, 2024, after leaving Port-au-Prince.  (MARCO BELLO / AFP)

France set up special flights on Sunday March 24 to allow its nationals “the most vulnerable” to leave Haiti, whose capital is plagued by gang violence.

These flights, chartered by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, must begin the same day, said the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while commercial air links with Port-au-Prince are interrupted.

Some 1,100 French people on site

“The French embassy in Port-au-Prince remains open and continues its activity despite the degraded conditions”also specified the ministry. “It remains fully mobilized in support of the French community on site”he adds.

Some 1,100 French people, including a large number of dual nationals, live in Haiti, according to figures from the Quai d’Orsay. 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”specifies the ministry which did not yet have an estimate of the number of people potentially concerned.

Haiti, already the victim of a very serious political and security crisis, has been plagued by renewed violence since the beginning of March, when several gangs joined forces to attack strategic locations in Port-au-Prince, saying they wanted to overthrow the Prime Minister. Minister Ariel Henry. The latter resigned on March 11 and negotiations are underway to form transitional authorities.


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