FLORIDA, USA — Twenty-one Americans are back in the United States after a second successful rescue mission from Haiti, where ongoing political instability and gang violence have left citizens trapped and unable to return home, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced on Sunday.
The rescue mission landed late in Orlando Saturday night, bringing the total count to 35 American citizens safely returned home from Haiti, according to FDEM.
Once back in the U.S., citizens were provided with resources, including meals and water, basic medical screenings, lodging, phones, ID replacements, child care, and mental health counseling.
According to officials, the resources were provided by state agencies, private sector partners and volunteer organizations.
"The Division is working around the clock through every available avenue to get our residents home," said Division Executive Director Kevin Guthrie.
Less than five days ago, the state's first emergency flight brought home 14 Floridians who were trapped in Haiti.
"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," said Gov. Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis issued an executive order on March 15 declaring a state of emergency for 60 days in Florida amidst growing calls for rescue and evacuation efforts for Floridians trapped in Haiti.
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Ongoing violence spurred by gang attacks across Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, has left the country's main international airport compromised, with no way out.
A jarring attack on the country's penitentiary late March 2 prompted the escape of 3,700 inmates, according to the Office of Citizen Protection.
Gangs control an estimated 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, with groups eyeing attacks at key government sites and even the country's Central Bank.
Scores of people have fled the violence which has resulted in an influx of Haitian immigrants coming to the U.S., a reason DeSantis cited for deploying more than 250 personnel to Florida's southern coast.
“For quite some time, the State of Florida has been dedicating significant resources to combat illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti," said DeSantis. "No state has done more to supplement the U.S. Coast Guard's efforts; we cannot have illegal aliens coming to Florida."
Anyone who may know someone unable to leave Haiti due to the ongoing crisis can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Haiti to fill out a form.