NEW DELHI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Friday set up a control room to assist the country's nationals living in Haiti in view of the volatile situation in the Caribbean country, said Spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry Randhir Jaiswal.
According to the latest media reports, criminal gangs have overrun Haiti as the Caribbean country's Prime Minister Ariel Henry offered to step down amid efforts by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to establish a transitional governing council there.
There are an estimated 90-100 Indian nationals living in Haiti, most of whom are doctors, engineers, missionaries, and businessmen. "Efforts are being made to identify Indian citizens in Haiti and evacuate them from there, if need be," said an official at the external affairs ministry.
"In view of the ongoing developments in Haiti, a 24-hours Control room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance," said a statement issued by the external affairs ministry.
Since India doesn't have an embassy in Haiti, coordination efforts are being done through New Delhi and India's embassy in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. ■