Residents in Florida are Concerned About their Family and Friends in Haiti amid the Country’s Escalating Unrest.

Those in Florida who are following the turmoil in Haiti are worried about their friends and relatives there, claiming that the violence there is keeping them essentially captive in their own houses.

The Gaskov Clerge Foundation, led by Boynton Beach resident Cosy Joseph, has spent more than twenty years promoting health, education, and sports opportunities in Haiti and the United States.

Joseph remarked, “I’ve never seen Haiti like this,” as he saw the scenes from a distance last week. “I’ve never witnessed such destruction… Never before have I felt so desperate and powerless. About a month ago, armed gangs in Haiti went on the rampage, attacking the nation’s international airport, police stations, and prisons. They also took action against affluent areas.

Joseph stated, “I have relatives in Port au Prince who are essentially prisoners in their own house. They don’t feel safe, therefore they can’t actually go outside. Who wants to be in that circumstance, really? Consequently, it’s terrible for everyone, and I believe that practically every Haitian—whether they reside in Haiti or not—is affected by this.

To securely remove American people from Haiti, the Florida Department of Emergency Management and the U.S. State Department have been operating chartered evacuation planes. Since the violence started, almost 200 people have been flown back to Florida.