SANFORD, Fla. – Amid the rising gang violence in Haiti, the first of what Florida Gov. DeSantis calls many flights that will bring Americans back to the United States and out of harm’s way arrived at Orlando-Sanford International Airport Wednesday evening.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at a press conference ahead of the flight’s arrival, alongside Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.
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“We’re committed to rescuing Floridians from this situation,” said DeSantis. “It’s a bad situation. We did it in Israel. We had a little bit more help in terms of coordination with the Israeli government than we do right now with what’s going on in Haiti, so it’s a more challenging situation.”
According to the governor, around 14 evacuees were on the flight, which included families and missionaries.
Last week, the Florida Division of Emergency Management launched an online portal where people in Haiti could request help. News 6 has learned the state has received requests from 360 Floridians and 501 U.S. citizens.
Four additional flights are scheduled for Thursday.
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