Foreigners Stranded in Violence-Torn Haiti as Gangs Shut Down Airports
Dozens of foreigners, including many from the United States and Canada, find themselves trapped in Haiti, a violence-torn country where anti-government gangs are engaged in fierce battles with the police. The situation has escalated to the point where both of Haiti’s international airports have been shut down, leaving these individuals desperate to leave.
The foreigners who are now stranded in Haiti had various reasons for being in the country, ranging from adoptions to missionary and humanitarian work. However, due to the ongoing violence and the gangs’ demands for Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation, they are now confined to hotels and homes, unable to leave by air, sea, or land.
One such individual is Richard Phillips, a 65-year-old Canadian who has traveled to Haiti over three dozen times for projects with organizations like the United Nations, USAID, and a Haitian nonprofit called Papyrus. Phillips arrived in Haiti in late February and flew to the coastal city of Les Cayes to teach farmers how to operate and repair machinery. However, upon returning to the capital, Port-au-Prince, he discovered that his flight had been canceled. Faced with relentless gunfire, Phillips moved to a safer area but expressed concerns about the deteriorating situation. He fears that if the police force collapses, anarchy will reign in the streets, and they could be stuck in Haiti for an extended period.
The violence in Haiti has already claimed numerous lives since it began on February 29. More than 15,000 people have also been left homeless due to the gang attacks. Despite the government’s efforts to quell the violence by extending a state of emergency and implementing a nightly curfew, the attacks persist. Gangs have burned police stations, released thousands of inmates from prisons, and even attacked Port-au-Prince’s main airport, which remains closed.
The prime minister himself has been unable to return to Haiti after a trip to Kenya, where he sought support for the deployment of a U.N.-backed police force from East Africa. With no viable options for leaving the country by air, Phillips has exhausted all possibilities. Even attempting to trek to the neighboring Dominican Republic poses significant risks.
Despite the dire circumstances, Phillips remains calm, having experienced dangerous situations in Haiti before. However, he acknowledges that the situation is traumatic for others who are not accustomed to such violence. Yvonne Trimble, an American who has lived in Haiti for over 40 years, shares Phillips’ predicament. She and her husband are currently in the city of Cap-Haitien, waiting for a private evacuation flight for missionaries that had already been canceled once. Trimble describes the situation as total anarchy, recounting how a mob recently surrounded the airport in Cap-Haitien following a rumor that the prime minister was going to land.
Missionary Flights International, based in Florida, has received numerous calls from people hoping to leave or remain on standby. However, the company is cautious about resuming flights due to concerns that their planes may be mistaken for the prime minister’s return. The uncertainty surrounding the reopening of Haiti’s international airports further complicates the situation.
Amidst the chaos, a missionary couple who chose to remain anonymous due to safety concerns find themselves unable to leave Haiti. They have been living in the country for several years and are currently in the process of adopting a 6-year-old boy. Leaving is not an option for them as they consider themselves a family. However, the husband’s medical condition, Type 1 diabetes, requires urgent treatment in the United States. Unfortunately, his appointments are on hold until they can leave Haiti.
Matt Prichard, the COO of a missionary organization, is also stranded in southern Haiti with his Haitian wife and their two young children. The rest of his family has yet to obtain the necessary documents to enter the United States. Despite his son’s concerns about their safety, Prichard cannot fathom leaving his family behind.
The situation in Haiti has led to a scarcity of basic goods, with local grocery stores running low on supplies and gasoline becoming increasingly difficult to find. However, the expat community has become a source of solace for those stranded in the country. The connections and relationships formed within this community provide support and comfort during these trying times.
As the violence continues and the airports remain closed, the foreigners trapped in Haiti can only hope for a resolution to the crisis that will allow them to return home safely. Until then, they must rely on each other and their resilience to endure this challenging situation.