Over 1,000 Americans Seek Assistance from US Government in Haiti, Reports State Department

The State Department reported that the number of Americans in Haiti seeking help from the US government was close to 1,000 on Tuesday. This comes as Haiti faces challenges such as widespread gang violence, political unrest, and a growing humanitarian crisis.

According to the State Department, over 30 US citizens were able to depart from Cap-Haitien, a city located on Haiti's northern coast, and safely land at Miami International Airport on Sunday. Officials had advised Americans to only consider this flight if they could safely reach Cap-Haitien, as traveling to the city is currently risky.

The situation in Haiti worsened recently with criminal gangs and militias causing chaos in the streets, according to security sources. This has led to shortages of essential items like food, medicine, and gas.

The first evacuation flight out of Cap-Haitien, Haiti, landed at Miami International Airport on Sunday, March 17, 2024. Francius St. Alma of Miami was among the passengers. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The first evacuation flight from Cap-Haitien, Haiti, arrived at Miami International Airport on Sunday, March 17, 2024. Among the passengers was Francius St. Alma from Miami. (Photo Credit: Carl Juste/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

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Last week, Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to announce his resignation after years of growing gang control and popular unrest. This stunning capitulation has not yet succeeded in restoring calm in Haiti.

In the capital city of Port-au-Prince, which is over 100 miles away from Cap-Haitien, the airport is closed and under siege by gangs engaged in conflicts with the police. According to UN estimates, these gangs have now seized control of 80% of Port-au-Prince.

Nearly 1,000 Americans have completed a "crisis intake form" to assist the State Department in tracking their whereabouts and providing information on evacuations and consular services, according to department spokesperson Vedant Patel in a statement to CNN.

The individuals who have filled out the form include those looking to leave Haiti, as well as others who are interested in staying connected with the embassy and receiving updates on potential departure options, Patel explained.

A Florida-based nonprofit is currently helping over 100 Americans who are seeking assistance to leave the country. One of those individuals is missionary Jill Dolan and her family, who are currently stranded in Port-au-Prince. According to CNN affiliate WPTV, they are currently staying in a guest house near the closed airport.

The family continues to provide updates online through its nonprofit, Love A Neighbor, which oversees an orphanage and a family preservation project in rural Haiti.

Haiti spirals deeper into chaos, as gangs battle for control of Port-au-Prince. Jake Johnston, Senior Research Associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, joins Rosemary Church to discuss what it will take to get the situation under control. 

Haiti is facing increased chaos as gangs fight for control of Port-au-Prince. In a recent interview, Jake Johnston, Senior Research Associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, talks with Rosemary Church about the steps needed to stabilize the situation.

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Haiti is facing a humanitarian crisis due to a violent gang uprising. Dolan's organization expressed their feelings in a Facebook post on Saturday, stating, "Feels like we are sinking in quick sand. However, we are grateful to be alive."

Boyce Young, a 75-year-old former Marine from Georgia, was trapped in Haiti with another American until Monday afternoon when they finally escaped, according to his daughter Kim Patterson who spoke to CNN.

Together, they found a boat that brought them up the coast to the border with the Dominican Republic. After getting their passports stamped on the Haitian side, they crossed the border and then drove six hours to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. As of Tuesday morning, they were still in Santo Domingo, Patterson explained.

Boyce Young, seen here in an undated picture, was doing aid work in Haiti.

Boyce Young, seen here in an undated picture, was doing aid work in Haiti.

Courtesy Kim Patterson

The situation in Haiti is now “one of the most dire humanitarian situations in the world,” Patel, with the US State Department, said Monday.

The dangerous conditions in the country are making it difficult for Americans to evacuate and causing problems for a local aid organization that lacks essential healthcare supplies.

One of Haiti's few free medical clinics is facing a shortage of life-saving medication.

André Boyer starts and ends his day at the clinic of Friends of The Children of Haiti in Jacmel, about four hours outside of Port-au-Prince. He has been sleeping at the clinic at night and working during the day to provide medical assistance to patients in need. By staying at the clinic, he also avoids the hassle of searching for expensive fuel to travel to and from his home, as he shared with CNN.

Friends of The Children of Haiti, founded by an American couple in 1992, has faced various challenges over the years. However, the situation has recently taken a turn for the worse. The organization has now completely run out of at least one critical medication, highlighting the urgent need for support.

CNN

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Machete-wielding militias in Haiti are fighting against gangs in a fierce battle for control.

Boyer is in charge of the Vital Health Clinics and Weekly Urgent Care run by the organization. These clinics offer free medicine to all Haitians, from babies to the elderly.

The mission of providing lifesaving medicines to Haiti's most vulnerable has become challenging as supplies have drastically decreased. This has left many people without the essential medications they urgently require.

One specific medicine, called Medika Mamba or "peanut butter medicine," is used to treat malnutrition in children from infancy to 3 years old. However, the organization is currently facing a shortage of this medicine, with no access to more, according to Nathan Ruby, the executive director, as reported by CNN.

"It's like witnessing a miracle right before my eyes," Ruby expressed. "This treatment can rescue a 2-year-old child from the brink of starvation and bring them back to health."

"We've run out and there's no more available," he explained. He emphasized that for the children relying on it, "it's a matter of life and death as they are extremely malnourished."

Project DYNAMO, a nonprofit organization led by veterans in Tampa, Florida, is helping to rescue Americans in Haiti. They have received over 100 requests for help.

Evelio Contreras/CNN

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"It's been really challenging," shared Bryan Stern, the cofounder and CEO, in a recent video interview with CNN. The team has been focusing on helping Americans who are stuck in remote areas with no other means of rescue. This often involves using multiple modes of transportation for the evacuation. "We've been working tirelessly, day and night," Stern added.

During the interview, Stern was in the Dominican Republic, accompanied by Miriam Cinotti and Linotte Joseph, residents of Florida who were in Haiti for missionary work. They were successfully evacuated by the nonprofit on Sunday.

Stern described the rescue operation, saying, "We took a plane, a boat, and a bus. And we had to walk on the beach for a little bit."

He mentioned that the process is difficult and complicated, especially without any assistance. The group depends solely on donations to support their missions.

Joseph, the founder of Mission of Grace, has been collaborating with missionary teams to provide assistance to the people of Haiti for over ten years. The organization encompasses an orphanage, clinic, soup kitchen, and a facility for elderly individuals. Cinotti has been actively involved with Mission of Grace since 2010, making several trips to Haiti annually.

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An elderly woman was shot on a Haitian street while she was simply on her way to the market. Both women expressed their relief at being evacuated, but they are concerned about others like Dolan who are still stuck in the midst of the violence.

"We're safe and sound," Cinotti reassured. "But honestly, I can't help but think that they should have been the priority to be rescued first."

Stern explained that Project DYNAMO is facing a growing waitlist for rescues and is in need of more funding for additional resources. Without financial support, he is unable to take action.

"We really need help from people, and we need it urgently," he expressed. "Some of these individuals are facing very difficult situations, but together we can make a difference. I just need assistance with resources."

This report was contributed to by CNN's Kylie Atwood, Colin McCollough, Christina Maxouris, Michael Conte, and David Williams.

Editor's P/S:

The situation in Haiti is dire, with widespread gang violence, political unrest, and a growing humanitarian crisis. The US State Department reported that nearly 1,000 Americans are seeking help from the government, and over 30 were evacuated from Cap-Haitien on Sunday. The Biden administration has advised Americans to only consider evacuation if they can safely reach Cap-Haitien, as traveling to the city is currently risky.

The situation in Haiti is complex and has been deteriorating for years. Political instability, corruption, and a lack of economic opportunity have created a fertile ground