The State Department’s Efforts to Bring Americans Home
The U.S. State Department has been working around the clock to assist American citizens in the Middle East who are trying to leave the region amid ongoing conflicts. As of March 5, the agency reported that it had directly assisted 10,000 Americans in the Middle East who were looking to depart the area.
Stranded Travelers and the Challenges They Face
Thousands of Americans are currently stranded in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. Many have found themselves unable to leave as commercial air travel from the region has been significantly disrupted or delayed. For some, like David Dweck, the situation has become increasingly urgent.
Dweck, a 63-year-old real estate investor from Boca Raton, Florida, was in Israel for a Jewish National Fund Brotherhood mission trip when the conflict escalated. On February 28, he heard a jet flying overhead and believed it signaled the beginning of an evacuation. However, within minutes, he and others were taking shelter in a bomb bunker under his hotel in Caesarea.
Dweck had originally planned to leave Israel on March 4, but his flight was canceled. He is now struggling to find a way home. After calling the State Department’s emergency number for Americans abroad, he spent 12 minutes on hold before being told via a recording that he should not rely on the U.S. government for assisted departure.
“I think the American government — with that phone number and everything else — they need to step up and do a better job to get us home,” Dweck said.
Evacuation Options and Nonprofit Assistance
Despite the challenges, there are options available for those seeking to leave the region. El Al, Israel’s national airline, has informed Dweck that the earliest he could board a flight is March 19. However, he says he needs to leave before then.
Dweck has also sought help from nonprofit organizations like Project Dynamo, which has evolved from its efforts during the collapse in Afghanistan. According to Mike Dinesman, the organization’s director of operations and chief planner, Project Dynamo has evacuated or rescued more than 7,500 people since its founding.
Project Dynamo does not charge for its support. Dinesman, who served 26 years in the Army, including as a Green Beret and in special operations units, says his military background has prepared him for this task. He recently helped evacuate Americans from Mexico after a wave of violence following the killing of a major cartel leader.
The Role of Nonprofits and Government Coordination
Dinesman is currently in Egypt, coordinating evacuations for approximately 100 Americans who have sought his help since the attack on Iran. While he declined to disclose the exact number of people he has successfully evacuated, he mentioned that two groups have already been physically evacuated, with several more operations scheduled.
“We have requests all over Israel, a lot of requests in the Emirates in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujaira, Qatar and Lebanon,” Dinesman said. “Pretty much where all the fallout is taking place.”
Rich Wolkowitz, a 57-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, is another traveler who has reached out for assistance. Wolkowitz, who owns a family office consulting firm, contacted local elected officials, including Congresswoman Ann Wagner, Sen. Eric Schmitt, and Rep. Wesley Bell, all of whom he says have been very helpful.
These officials advised him to sign up for the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that sends travelers email updates and alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Wolkowitz has also encouraged others on his mission to pursue both commercial flights and assistance from the State Department.
Maintaining Hope Amid Uncertainty
Despite the uncertainty, Wolkowitz remains optimistic. He has taken on the role of point person for the group, helping others understand what steps they need to take to return home.
“I like to think that our mission has extended, and we’ve been given the opportunity through this extension to stay and continue to help others, which was the original purpose of us coming here,” he said.
As the situation continues to evolve, the efforts of both the U.S. government and nonprofit organizations remain critical in ensuring that stranded Americans can return home safely.
