Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — The U.S. State Department is currently exploring options to evacuate American citizens who are trapped in Haiti. A power vacuum in the country has allowed violent gangs to take control of most of the capital, leading to over 15,000 people fleeing from their homes.
On Tuesday, ten U.S. nationals arrived in Florida aboard a private plane chartered by missionaries operating in Haiti.
CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez, reporting from the northern city of Cap-Haitien in Haiti, found that many others are still seeking a way to escape and are concerned about those they may have to leave behind.
“We are actively exploring all available options for American citizens who wish to leave Haiti,” said Vedant Patel, the deputy State Department spokesperson on Tuesday. He mentioned that nearly 1,000 individuals have submitted a crisis intake form on the department’s website seeking assistance or a means to depart Haiti.
Patel also stated that the State Department will maintain communication with these American citizens.
CLARENS SIFFROY/AFP/Getty
When asked about private evacuation flights organized with the assistance of some members of the U.S. Congress, Patel cautioned that such missions, not part of formal State Department operations, can be high-risk. However, he emphasized that the government supports any American citizen seeking safety.
Gregoire Leconte, a U.S. passport holder, was among the hundreds in Cap-Haitien attempting to leave the country on Tuesday, despite the absence of available flights.
“The situation in Haiti is dire,” he told CBS News.
Another individual, who chose not to reveal her identity, expressed concern for the loved ones she might have to leave behind, but emphasized the necessity of the decision due to the significant risks.
“People are breaking into homes, committing acts of violence, and destroying property,” she explained.
While many individuals awaited an opportunity to leave, a missionary flight from Fort Pierce, Florida landed in Cap-Haitien carrying approximately 5,300 pounds of essential humanitarian supplies, including food and baby formula.
CBS Miami’s Tania Francois was the sole journalist on board that flight. Airport personnel informed her that it was the first plane to fly from the U.S. to Haiti with passengers and much-needed provisions.
Subsequently, the plane flew south from Cap-Haitien to the town of Pignon, located midway between the northern port city and the chaos in Port-au-Prince. It later transported 14 individuals back to Florida, including 10 U.S. passport holders and four Haitian nationals.
“This is not what I desire, as Haiti is my homeland,” expressed Haitian passenger Christla Pierre to Francois. She mentioned that she was traveling to the U.S. to ensure medical care for her 15-month-old son, who is a U.S. citizen.
Another Haitian passenger, Annexe Soufferance, shared that he was returning to the U.S. on a student visa after visiting family in Haiti.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to study in the U.S., but my ultimate goal is to return and serve my country,” he stated.
More from CBS News
