Florida Successfully Evacuates 722 Americans From Haiti Amid Political Unrest

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis said today that the state of Florida had successfully evacuated 722 Americans from Haiti. Due to the political unrest in Haiti, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (the Division) launched rescue operations on March 20, 2024, under Governor DeSantis’ order.

“The State of Florida does not back down from doing the right thing and assisting Americans in need,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I’m proud to announce that despite the lack of cooperation from the federal government, more than 700 Americans have been successfully evacuated from Haiti to Florida.”

“Evacuating our residents has been challenging, and I am incredibly proud of the hard work our State Emergency Response Team, private and nonprofit partners have done to bring Americans home and accommodate their needs upon returning to Florida,” Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Division of Emergency Response. “We will always stand ready to support our residents, and I thank Governor DeSantis for allowing us to do so in any crisis.”

When evacuees return to Florida, the Division ensures they have access to resources such as food, water, medical care, and transportation back home.

These rescue operations from Haiti are the second time the Division, led by Governor DeSantis, has returned Americans home from emergencies abroad. In October 2023, Florida launched a mission to return home Americans who were unable to escape Israel following the Hamas terrorist strike. More than 700 Americans have returned from Israel.