Miami welcomes the first charter flight carrying American citizens escaping Haiti.

As gang violence envelops Haiti, the government chartered the airplane, which is transporting over thirty American people.

TFD – Discover how the U.S. Embassy is enhancing security in response to escalating gang violence in Haiti, including the evacuation of American citizens via government-chartered flights. Get insights into the challenges faced by evacuees and the ongoing situation in Haiti.

Numerous Americans who were escaping the escalating gang violence in Haiti boarded a charter airplane, which landed in Miami on Sunday, according to U.S. State Department sources.

According to a statement from officials, the government-chartered flight carried over thirty American citizens. After the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince earlier this month advised Americans to depart “as soon as possible” as turmoil engulfs Haiti, it finally arrived at Miami International Airport.

Boston-based passenger Avlot Quessa flew from the middle of the nation to board the charter flight after visiting his mother in Haiti last month for what was intended to be a week-long visit.

“It’s really awful… You can only picture the misery,” Quessa said of the neighboring Caribbean country to the Miami Herald. “Haiti is my home country, and witnessing this violence and devastation there is extremely upsetting, especially since they are our neighbors.”

Following gang violence that have raged throughout Haiti in recent weeks, forcing many people to the verge of starving, the country’s main airport in Port-au-Prince is still closed. As the situation escalated over the weekend, government and relief groups reported looting of aid supplies.

The State Department announced Saturday that it would offer limited charter flights for American citizens from the less chaotic northern city of Cap-Haïtien.

The officials advised Americans to consider charter flights “only if you think you can reach Cap-Haïtien airport safely” and stated that they were unable to offer ground transportation to Cap-Haïtien.

“If they haven’t already, we urge American citizens who are still in Haiti and wish to leave to get in touch with the Department of State by completing the crisis intake form on our website,” the organization stated.

People taking the U.S. government-coordinated flights must sign a promissory bill agreeing to reimburse the government.

Another passenger on Sunday’s flight, Marie Lucie St. Fleur, 69, of West Palm Beach, said she feels most at home in Haiti and it pains her to see what her homeland is enduring.

“I really don’t feel well. She sat in a wheelchair and said, “I would like to live in my country but I can’t.”

According to the State Department, Miami government representatives were assisting the just arrived evacuees in deciding what to do next.

The U.S. military transported extra troops to the U.S. Embassy last week in order to increase security, given the building is located in an area that is primarily under gang control.