European Evacuees From Haiti Arrive In Martinique

The first French and European evacuees from Haiti arrived in neighbouring Martinique on Friday aboard Navy ships. Martinique authorities took the first batch of seventy evacuees to the Palais des Sports du Lamentin. The official Facebook page of Martinique’s Prefect explained that significant state resources have gone into welcoming and taking care of the arrivals, who are part of the evacuation of 243 nationals. The first group arrived in Martinique as Haiti’s political, security, and social crisis deteriorated. A new report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called for ‘immediate and bold action’ to tackle the country’s ‘cataclysmic’ situation. Turmoil and violence in Haiti surged after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Dozens of armed gangs currently operate in the country, including some that control large areas of the capital, Port au Prince. Unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry recently announced his resignation. The announcement came after Caribbean leaders met in Jamaica to discuss a political transition in Haiti. This week, the Associated Press reported that members of a transitional presidential council responsible for selecting a new prime minister issued their first official statement on Wednesday, pledging to restore ‘public and democratic order”. Photo: ©Prefecture...