US organizing government-chartered helicopter flights from Haiti to evacuate Americans: State Department

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US said Wednesday it is in the process of organizing government-chartered helicopter flights from Haiti for US citizens amid rising violence in the Caribbean nation.

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters that Washington is facilitating the departure of US citizens from Port au Prince to Santo Domingo in neighboring Dominican Republic, where US government personnel are present to provide consular assistance.

From Santo Domingo, Americans will be responsible for their travel to the US, said Patel, adding that the departures might continue, depending on demand.

Haiti has been struggling with gang violence and political instability for years. The situation dramatically deteriorated in recent months, with kidnappings, killings, armed robberies and other violent crimes becoming commonplace.

The rampant instability has further exacerbated an exodus of migrants from Haiti, and Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned last week after fleeing the island nation.