'Bittersweet departure': 8 Canadian nurses arrive in Canada after flying out of Haiti

Eight Canadian nurses have arrived back in Canada after flying out of Haiti following days of violent anti-government protests in the Caribbean country.

The nurses, whovolunteeredat acompoundin the Haitian city of GrandGoave, boarded an Air Canada flight from Port-au-Prince to Montreal on Monday afternoon. All eightarrived in Montreal on Monday evening and six from Ontario flew into Toronto early Tuesday.

TraceyHotta, a resident ofThornhillin the Greater Toronto Area and one of the eight, said the nursestooka helicopter from the compound to the airportonMonday morningbecause protesters had blockedhighwayswith burning tires.

"It isa bittersweet departure," Hotta said in a message to CBC Toronto.

She said thegroupwas helping to provide health care to local residents but decided it was no longer safe to stay. The other nurses includetwofrom Barrie, two from Ajax,one from Markham, onefrom Montreal and one from Truro, N.S.

Earlier, in an interview by telephone on Monday morning, Hotta said the nurses were very anxious before they were picked up by helicopter.

"I don't think anybody slept last night," she said. "The mood was a bit sombre last night. We hate to leave the Haitians in such despair, but we've done everything we can do and we'llcome back."

The group laya Canadian flag on the groundin a field in the compound to let the helicopter pilot know where to land. The pilot failed to find the nurses the first time around but finally located them.

One nurse hadto leave Haiti on Monday because she ranout of her medication, Hotta said.

"We are rallying around. We're still remaining as positive as we can. We will get out."

Haitian protesters have staged 11 days ofdemonstrations that at times have turned violent, and forced the closure of schools and businesses. Those taking to the streets have beencalling forthe resignation of President Jovenel Mose as they struggle to deal with skyrocketing inflation.

Hottasaid the nurses wereworking with Hope Grows Haiti,an Ontario-based charitable organization that aims to help orphaned and abandoned children in the country after the massive earthquake in 2010.

AGoFundMe page set up by relatives of the nursesraised morethan $19,000 in three days to pay for the helicopter rental. Unused fundswill go tothe organization.

Hotta said it wasdifficult to be in Haitiamid the violent protests. The group didnot haveaccess to media reports, she said, and had to rationfood, water and fuel.

"I will honestly say that we are now emotionally exhausted. If we don't get out today, I don't know what our state of mind is going to be," Hotta said.

"We're kind of in the dark as to what's going on."

The group was told that armed protesters and burning tires hadblocked highways to the airport and it would be dangerous to try to reach the airport by car.

"You would have to pay them a large of amount to go through,"Hottasaid.

Hotta said the lack of assistance from the Canadian government wasdisappointing. The Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince remains shut after closing last week due to the unrest.

"We were not really impressed with the support we got from Canada. They kind of justleft us to fend for ourselves."

Ottawa following developments closely

Last Thursday, Global Affairs Canada advised against all travel to Haiti.

"Canada is following developments in Haiti closely," the federal department said in a statement on Monday.

"Our diplomats on the ground are in touch with their counterparts from other countries, as well as with local authorities, to share information and advice.Consular services are being provided to Canadian citizens in Haiti and we stand ready to provide assistance to Canadians who require it," it said.

"Canadian diplomats have assisted hundreds of Canadians leave Haiti via commercial means over the past weekend and we continue to support those requiring assistance."

Charline Ramgotra, anurse in the group, said she had also been feelinganxious.

"This day has been dragging. I don't think I'll feel comfortable until I'm on that Air Canada flight. We are all just anxiously standing around waiting."

As part of the mission, the nurses helped run a health-care clinic on the compound and a feeding program that provides mealsto about 250 to 300 children daily. The compound also has a church and school.