Haiti: US Embassy issues notice Nov. 10 urging citizens to make plans to depart the country via commercial means

Event

The US Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert Nov. 10 urging citizens to make plans to depart the country via commercial means. The embassy stated that the deteriorating security situation and severe fuel shortages may disrupt banking and medical services and citizens remaining in the country unable to transfer money or access emergency healthcare assistance. The fuel shortage has also been leaving certain cellphone towers without electricity as generators run dry and parts of the country may experience significant disruptions to telecommunications and internet access.

The embassy further stated that if commercial options to depart Haiti become unavailable, the embassy is unlikely to be able to assist citizens trying to depart the country. As of Nov. 11, commercial flights to leave Haiti remain available.

Advice

Businesses and organizations operating in Haiti should reassess security protocols and review contingency plans in light of the current infrastructural and security situation. Confirm routes, road access conditions, and destination security before conducting ground movements and planning freight shipments.

Obtain satellite phones for emergency use; SMS messages are usually more reliable than calls when cellular networks are restricted. Register and maintain contact with your diplomatic mission. Avoid all demonstrations, crowds, and concentrations of security personnel. Immediately depart the area if violence occurs or crowds form; shelter in a secure building.