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The first charter flight from Haiti carrying over 30 US citizens landed at Miami International Airport on Sunday, following a directive from the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince. This move is in response to the escalating gang violence that has plunged Haiti into chaos, urging Americans to leave the country “as soon as possible.”

The evacuation was organized amid the closure of Haiti’s main airport in Port-au-Prince due to ongoing gang attacks, which have led to widespread famine fears and looting of aid supplies. In an effort to facilitate the departure of its citizens, the State Department arranged for limited charter flights from Cap-Haïtien, a less affected northern city. However, officials highlighted the challenges of reaching the airport safely, advising US citizens to evaluate their ability to travel to Cap-Haïtien for the flights.

Upon arrival in Miami, evacuees were met by government officials tasked with assisting them in determining their next steps. This initiative is part of a broader response to the deteriorating security situation in Haiti, which has also seen the US military bolstering forces to secure the US Embassy amidst the gang-dominated landscape.

Officials have made it clear that those seeking to leave via the US government-coordinated flights would need to agree to reimburse the government, signing a promissory bill.