Airdrie man returns to safety and family amidst Haiti crisis

After being trapped in Haiti for over a month amid ongoing violence in the country, Airdrie resident Marc Honorat has been reunited with his family.

Honorat is currently in Florida with his wife Lisa, after he was able to leave the country last week when Florida-based Agape Flights, a flight company which describes itself as a, 'nonprofit Christian aviation ministry serving Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas,' posted a communique last Wednesday about receiving approval for two flights into Haiti. 

"We will be delivering approximately 5,500 pounds of critical supplies to mission partners throughout the country. We will also help several mission partners in urgent situations to leave Haiti."

After being trapped in Haiti for over a month amid ongoing violence in the country, Airdrie resident Marc Honorat has been reunited with his family. (Photo provided by Marc Honorat)

Honorat who founded and runs Haiti Arise Ministries, has been working in Haiti for decades, alongside his spouse. The non-profit organization provides education, and healthcare, as well as rescuing children who have been either orphaned or sold into slavery.

"I already miss Haiti. I'm just praying that things will settle down, so we can continue to help the Haitian people. They are in great need. They need education, they need food, they need health care," Honorat said. "That's where our heart is."

Honorat's organization has nearly 200 full-time staff working in Haiti. His wife said they have seen much turmoil in the country, starting with the devastating 2010 earthquake.

"It's not the first time we've faced things like this," she said. "But this time, was the worst we've ever seen or experienced. It's inner violence against their own people. The scary thing for us was just how long is he not going to be able to travel and come back home and be with us."

Whilst her husband was trapped in Haiti, Lisa was trying her best to find an alternative way of bringing her husband to safety. 

"Agape Flights was definitely by far the best option that was available. That was a real answer to our prayers." 

According to the Government of Canada, earlier this month, the Haitian government declared a state of emergency in Ouest Department, including in the capital of Port-au-Prince.

"...in response to gang violence and the deteriorating security situation. There are frequent clashes between gangs and security forces. Kidnappings, robberies, and violent crime are increasing."

Two days after the Haitian government declared a state of emergency, the Government of the Dominican Republic closed its air border with Haiti.

"Land and sea borders between the two countries remain closed to travellers. The Embassy of Canada to Haiti, in Port-au-Prince, cannot help you enter the Dominican Republic from Haiti."

While there are two international airports in the country, the government warned that either could be difficult to access due to the highly volatile security situation.

"The Toussaint Louverture International Airport is closed. The Cap Haitian International Airport is operational. We strongly advise against any road travel from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien, given the presence of gangs and a highly volatile security situation."

Agape Airlines flew to Cap-Haitien and then Les Cayes, west Haiti. It was in Les Cayes where Honorat was able to meet the flight, after driving from Grand Goave (west of Port-au-Prince), a 140-kilometre journey from the other side of the island. 

When asked why the couple does the work they do, Honorat's wife said that it is a calling.

Mark Honorat who founded and runs Haiti Arise Ministries, has been working in Haiti for decades, alongside his spouse. The non-profit organization provides education, and healthcare, as well as rescuing children who have been either orphaned or sold into slavery. (Photo provided by Marc Honorat)

"When we can see even just one life impacted and transformed - it matters so much. When we're able to bring change into an area of the world that many people have forgotten or discarded or think it's not worth investing in anymore and we can see change happen; then it makes it all worth it," she said. "We could live a nice, comfortable life somewhere here in North America and not have any risk, but we just feel like there's more out there for us."

For Honorat himself, he revealed that as a child in Haiti, he was sold into slavery. 

"My parents gave me away when I was five years old because they couldn't take care of me. I spent seven years as a slave."

By age 12 he placed in a children's home and began kindergarten.

"I was sponsored by a family from Airdrie and that's why we ended up in Canada," Honorat said. "I feel in my heart deeply, that we are in it for the long run. If we can touch one life, and change one life, I believe it's worth it; that's what happened to me. One person chose to invest a little bit into my life. Because of that, we have been in Haiti for over 20 years transfer helping those who are in need."

On Monday, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that Canada has started to facilitate small-scale departure options for vulnerable Canadian citizens from Haiti to the Dominican Republic.

"We are grateful for the support of the Dominican Republic in helping us bring Canadian citizens to safety. Due to eligibility requirements for entry into the Dominican Republic, this option is only available to Canadian citizens who have valid Canadian passports. However, Canada continues to work with partners and allies to find other options for those not included in this group," read a statement from the ministry."

She added that the government's immediate priority remains the safety and security of Canadians.

"Canada is committed to supporting Haiti and the Haitian people, and we continue to closely monitor the security situation there. We are working tirelessly to support Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their families still in Haiti."

The government added that Canada remains concerned about the humanitarian and security situation in Haiti and calls on all parties to work towards a return to stability.

"Canada welcomes the news of a political agreement among Haitian stakeholders that was reached on March 11, 2024. Canada hopes signatories to this agreement will quickly establish the Transitional Presidential Council and a transitional government that will work together to restore security, law and order and democracy in Haiti."

According to data from 2023, the United Nations Human Development Index ranked Haiti 163 out of 191 countries in 2022.

"According to the Human Capital Index, a child born today in Haiti will grow up to be only 45 per cent as productive as they could be if he or she had enjoyed full access to quality education and healthcare. Over one-fifth of children are at risk of cognitive and physical limitations, and only 78 per cent of 15-year-olds will survive to age 60."

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