Protests in the country of Haiti have rocked the small nation. Residents have been rioting in response to a number of issues facing the country, including government corruption, and a stagnant economy which sees little advancement for the average person.

Caught in the middle of the protests has been a number of Canadians who have been there as part of Haiti Arise, a faith-based organization looking to bring relief to poverty in the country, as well as stimulate the economy through programs and helping to improve the infrastructure. Two of those in the country were Wade and Marilyn Fitzpatrick. They were evacuated out of Haiti on the weekend after being airlifted to the airport.

The couple has been working in Haiti since 2014. They have worked to help the country recover from a devastating hurricane in 2016, which destroyed around 200,000 homes and shelters. The country had previously been damaged by an Earthquake in 2010.

During the protests in Haiti over the past weeks, the national infrastructure has been blocked off. Highways are filled with anti-government protesters armed with rocks and guns, cutting off the supply of water, food, diesel, cooking fuel and more. It also made the situation too dangerous for the Fitzpatricks to remain behind.

“There’s a little bit of movement on the roads, and things like that,” explained Wade Fitzpatrick when asked to describe the conditions. “It’s very much hour by hour; it could explode at any time again.”

The violence and protests in the country aren't deterring the couple from continuing their work in Haiti. Marilyn said they already have things lined up for when the advisories are lifted, and order is restored.

“When it settles there and we're able to have people come down to carry on our construction projects, we will have them resume.”

Until then, the Fitzpatricks will continue to monitor the situation, and keep in touch with those still on the ground in Haiti.