The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Haiti in hopes that Americans providing aid in the war-torn country will evacuate, but missionaries in south Florida say they are a “lifeline.”Joe Karabensh is the president of Missionary Flights out of Fort Pierce. The organization loads planes up with lifesaving supplies and flies to Haiti to deliver everything from fish to office supplies.Celebrating Haitian culture: City of Boynton Beach recognizes Haitian Flag DayKarabensh said about half of the volunteers scheduled to make the trip this week backed out because of safety concerns.”There are a number of missionaries that are not traveling now because of the violence, kidnappings and recent information; the alert from the embassy down there,” he said.Karabensh said they stay in close contact with people on the ground in Haiti to stay safe, and so far, all of the airports they have dropped supplies have been secure.“We’re still going,” he said. “There is a lot of cargo and supplies and provisions that need to head down there. “Last week, an American nurse was kidnapped, according to the missionary organization she worked for. She has not been found.Supporting Haiti: Relief organization sending resources ahead of tropical weather“These people are coming to help to meet their physical needs, and they are being chased away,” he said.The travel advisory comes as Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, is now controlled by gangs. This effectively cuts off those who live there from health care and supplies.Right now, Missionary Flights operates two planes but is in the process of getting a third.You can get involved by clicking here.
The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Haiti in hopes that Americans providing aid in the war-torn country will evacuate, but missionaries in south Florida say they are a “lifeline.”
Joe Karabensh is the president of Missionary Flights out of Fort Pierce. The organization loads planes up with lifesaving supplies and flies to Haiti to deliver everything from fish to office supplies.
Celebrating Haitian culture: City of Boynton Beach recognizes Haitian Flag Day
Karabensh said about half of the volunteers scheduled to make the trip this week backed out because of safety concerns.
“There are a number of missionaries that are not traveling now because of the violence, kidnappings and recent information; the alert from the embassy down there,” he said.
Karabensh said they stay in close contact with people on the ground in Haiti to stay safe, and so far, all of the airports they have dropped supplies have been secure.
“We’re still going,” he said. “There is a lot of cargo and supplies and provisions that need to head down there. “
Last week, an American nurse was kidnapped, according to the missionary organization she worked for. She has not been found.
Supporting Haiti: Relief organization sending resources ahead of tropical weather
“These people are coming to help to meet their physical needs, and they are being chased away,” he said.
The travel advisory comes as Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, is now controlled by gangs. This effectively cuts off those who live there from health care and supplies.
Right now, Missionary Flights operates two planes but is in the process of getting a third.
You can get involved by clicking here.
