FLORIDA – A second flight with Americans fleeing the ongoing political crisis and violence in Haiti landed in Central Florida Saturday night, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Twenty-one Americans were brought home on this flight. To date, a total of 35 Americans have been rescued by state-coordinated emergency flights, officials said.
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“The Division is working around the clock through every available avenue to get our residents home,” said Division Executive Director Kevin Guthrie.
Last week, 14 Floridians were brought home in the first emergency flight that landed in Orlando.
“I am proud of the work we have done to get Floridians home and reunite them with their families. We will also continue to dedicate resources to prevent the flow of illegal immigrants from reaching our shores while the situation in Haiti deteriorates,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
On March 15, DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Florida due to requests from dozens of Floridians stranded in Haiti. The order also designates Guthrie as the State Coordinating Officer to manage the rescue efforts of these Floridians.
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According to the Division of Emergency Management, once in the state, citizens can access several resources including meals and water, lodging, transportation, basic health and medical screenings, phones, and other supplies and resources.
If you or someone you know is a citizen who cannot leave Haiti due to the current crisis, please visit FloridaDisaster.org/Haiti and fill out the form.