US-chartered Helicopter Evacuates More Americans from Haiti with 'Multiple' Flights Planned, State Department Reports

A group of Americans was safely evacuated from Haiti on a US-chartered helicopter flight on Wednesday. This is part of the State Department's plan to conduct multiple trips to ensure the safety of US citizens in the midst of the country's escalating chaos due to widespread gang violence and political instability.

The flight on Wednesday transported "over 15 US citizens" from the capital city of Port-au-Prince, according to a State Department Spokesperson. They anticipate that more than 30 Americans will have the opportunity to board the US government flights each day they are scheduled.

We will keep track of the number of US citizens needing help to leave Haiti in real-time. The spokesperson mentioned that the duration of assistance will depend on factors like the security situation, availability of transportation, and the demand from US citizens.

The international airport in the city is still closed. It is now part of the areas in the city that have been attacked by gangs since the start of the month, along with government buildings and police stations.

Earlier today, during a news briefing, State Department Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel announced that charter flights would be departing to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Patel mentioned that once in Santo Domingo, Americans will need to arrange their own transportation back home.

Patel also mentioned that the helicopter movements will be making multiple trips today to evacuate as many American citizens as possible. He added that they are exploring additional options for future evacuation efforts in the coming days and beyond.

Americans traveling on flights organized by the US government are required to reimburse the government for the expenses incurred. The State Department has specified that the cost will not exceed that of a typical commercial flight before the crisis.

The first chartered evacuation flight arranged by the State Department took place on Sunday, transporting over 30 US citizens from Cap-Haitien to Miami. Cap-Haitien is a city located on Haiti's north coast, over 120 miles away from Port-au-Prince. According to a department spokesperson, there are plans to continue operating flights out of Cap-Haitien to facilitate the departure of more individuals.

Haiti's spiraling crisis has brought violence and instability to once-bustling streets.

Haiti's spiraling crisis has brought violence and instability to once-bustling streets.

Evelio Contreras/CNN

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Hundreds of Americans are currently in Haiti amidst the violence, including one Indiana couple who are urgently trying to evacuate two teenagers they adopted.

Hundreds more US citizens are still in Haiti, with almost 1,000 individuals having completed crisis intake forms as of Tuesday morning, according to statements from Patel to CNN. This number consists of individuals who are either seeking to depart the country or seeking further information from US authorities.

Conditions in the capital city have severely worsened due to the ongoing assault, leading Prime Minister Ariel Henry to announce his resignation. Criminal groups have cut off the city's food, fuel, and water supply, as well as blocked access to the port and roads, forcing residents to stay indoors while gang violence erupts on the streets.

On the other hand, there are efforts by various groups to organize rescues, such as the veteran-run nonprofit Project DYNAMO based in Tampa, Florida. The group reported on Monday that they have received over 100 rescue requests from Americans, with the number continuing to increase.

"It's been really tough," shared Bryan Stern, the cofounder and CEO, in an interview with CNN on Monday. Their focus has been on helping Americans who are stuck in isolated areas with no other means of rescue. This often involves using multiple modes of transportation to successfully evacuate individuals. "We've been putting in long hours, working tirelessly," Stern added.

On the other hand, the majority of Haitians do not have the opportunity to leave their situation behind.

A small group of wealthy foreigners and diplomats have the privilege of booking private evacuation helicopters to leave the city. According to several pilots interviewed by CNN last week, hundreds of people have signed up to escape Port-au-Prince by air, with private flight tickets costing up to $10,000.

The once bustling streets of the capital now appear deserted as residents are afraid to venture out due to the risk of violence, as reported by CNN crews. In addition to the fear of attacks, incidents of arson have forced thousands of people to flee their homes and seek refuge in numerous displacement camps scattered throughout the city.

The United Nations is working on establishing an air bridge between Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo to deliver essential food and water supplies as they run low.

Special thanks to CNN's Caitlin Hu, David Culver, Evelio Contreras, Michael Conte, and Kylie Atwood for their contributions to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The escalating chaos in Haiti