Haiti Evacuation Mission led by US Congressman Rescues Mitch Albom and 9 Others
Violence Situation in Haiti Prompts Urgent Evacuation
Author Mitch Albom and his team of eight volunteers, hailing from the Have Faith Haiti organization, were recently rescued from the turmoil in Haiti as the country teeters on the brink of collapse. The group, which had been sheltering in place, was rescued by US Congressman Cory Mills (R-Fla.) and Rep. Lisa C. McClain (R-Mich.) in a daring evacuation mission. The team had been stranded amidst the escalating violence that has grasped the nation which, as Albom suggests, has forced many to “run with a different crowd” and independently seek life-saving assistance.
The Perils of a Collapsing Nation
Haiti’s current state of crisis is characterized by escalating violence, the resignation of the Prime Minister, and the suspension of flights into the nation’s capital due to armed gang attacks. Gangs targeted the police station near the airport, causing it to burn down, and later looted Port-au-Prince’s main shipping port, resulting in the suspension of its operations. In the face of this dire situation, Albom and his fellow volunteers, including Canadians and a French citizen, found themselves in grave danger, eventually necessitating the intervention of Congressman Mills and Rep. McClain.
An Extraordinary Rescue Mission
Congressman Mills, known for participating in similar rescue missions, successfully orchestrated the evacuation by procuring two helicopters on short notice. Rep. McClain played a critical role by leveraging her connections and initiating the mission after learning about the stranded group. Initially planned for Monday, the evacuation was delayed by a day due to a maintenance problem with the first helicopter. McClain, Albom’s district representative, maintained frequent contact with the group to ensure a safe landing spot. With the evacuation complete, Albom and his wife are back on American soil, but many more volunteers are still trapped in Haiti.
A Risky Endeavor
Efforts to rescue American citizens in Haiti have been met with varying degrees of success. Albom, grateful for his rescue, emphasized that initiatives like these are not without risks, especially in a volatile and uncertain security situation such as Haiti’s. The US Department of State, while relieved to learn of the group’s safe return, stressed that these evacuation missions can potentially put people in harm’s way. The State Department highlighted that the safety of US citizens overseas remains their highest priority amidst the challenging conditions in Haiti.
Looking Ahead and Aiding in Haiti’s Recovery
Mitch Albom, who manages an orphanage in Haiti, expressed deep difficulty in leaving the children behind but remains resolute in his commitment to return as soon as conditions permit. While the evacuation mission has successfully saved lives, the true road to recovery for Haiti involves comprehensive humanitarian and security efforts. The US government, under the Biden administration, has pledged $33 million in humanitarian aid and $300 million to the Multinational Security Support Mission, which aids Haiti in diverse ways, including personnel, equipment, and logistical resources.
Laura Wagner contributed to this report.
