Mitch Albom, author, airlifted out of Haiti during government collapse: "It's madness"

In the aftermath of Haiti's government collapse, Mitch Albom, his wife Janine, and eight volunteers were confronted with the challenge of returning home amidst the chaos and violence that once again gripped the country.

In the midst of intense gang violence and unrest, a group of individuals, including Albom, were airlifted from Haiti on Tuesday night as part of an initiative led by Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., and Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla.

"We were ten people and entered a helicopter at night because gangs shoot at them, and it's safer to do so in the dark," Albom stated on "The Brian Kilmeade Show" Wednesday.

"We were crammed into a helicopter with four seats, resulting in a packed group of ten people. It was like a scene from a movie, with everyone rushing to get in and take off."

Last week, during his routine visit to an orphanage in Port-au-Prince run by his charity Have Faith Haiti, Albom and the nine other volunteers were in the city when the current crisis erupted.

"In Haiti, the last few days have been even crazier than usual," Albom stated. "Upon arrival, the gangs broke into prisons and released all the inmates. Then, the airports, ports, roads, and borders were shut, leaving no escape route."

"We spent eight days in captivity, stockpiling food, water, and fuel. We were concerned that without a government, chaos could ensue, making it difficult to obtain supplies. We hoped to have enough supplies for a month. We sought assistance from the internet, which was provided."

Despite being familiar with gang violence and political instability, Haiti's recent crisis intensified on February 29 when Prime Minister Ariel Henry went to Kenya to seek assistance in dealing with gangs.

Herny has been unable to return to Haiti because of gangs burning police stations, attacking the main airport, and raiding two of the country's biggest prisons.

"It's unbelievable," Albom stated. "The experience of being trapped in a country where you can't escape is something no American has ever endured. After going through it once, you realize how Haitians live every day. This should not be accepted."

Officials, including Caribbean leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, met in Jamaica for an emergency meeting to discuss Haiti's spiraling crisis, which has been worsened by violent gangs breaking down law and order in the country.

The multidimensional crisis in Haiti is being discussed by Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, the United Nations, and the U.S.

Albom emphasized the need for U.S. intervention to address the current conflict.

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The author, who is known for his best-selling books, expressed his desire to return to Haiti and reunite with the children he left behind at an orphanage he founded.

He expressed great concern for our children and vowed to return as soon as possible.

"Albom emphasized the importance of not forgetting about the Americans, Canadians, and other foreign nationals who are still in Haiti, despite his group being able to escape. He highlighted the many Americans who volunteer with orphanages, organizations, and water projects in the country. Additionally, he acknowledged the fear that these individuals must be living in, as they are unable to leave. Albom's recent fiction titles, "Stranger in a Lifeboat" and "The Little Liar," have been successful, and he is also known for his celebrated memoir, "Tuesdays with Morrie."

This report was contributed to by Lawrence Richard of Planet Chronicle, Peter Aitken, and The Associated Press.