Although I remain skeptical about what Americans were doing in such a powderkeg as the mid-east... I am at least thankful that Marylanders are rolling out the welcome mat to help our fellow citizens get re-connected to their families and homes in the U.S. Many times these people were rushed out of the war zone with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. State employees and the Red Cross are helping them find food, hotels, and transportation home after coming from the other side of the world. After a long, tiring ordeal, they are once again on U.S. soil, but still may be far from their homes and loved ones. Kudos to all helping ease their way.
Press Releases announcing the effort...
Governor Ehrlich Announces BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Will Serve as a Repatriation Center for Americans Departing Lebanon Between 700 and 800 evacuees expected this week
ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L Ehrlich, Jr., in response to a request from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, has directed today that BWI/Thurgood Marshall Airport serve as a repatriation center for Americans evacuating Lebanon. The first of three anticipated planes, each expected to carry more than 200 people, will arrive at BWI sometime Thursday. More details on flight arrivals will be made available shortly.
“Hundreds of American citizens have been abruptly displaced from Lebanon, and the Ehrlich Administration is committed to helping them,” said Governor Ehrlich. “I have directed the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, Department of Human Resources and other state agencies to mobilize their resources. We are fully prepared to provide the appropriate assistance to these citizens during this difficult time.”
Maryland’s Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will coordinate services provided to the repatriates arriving from Cyprus. Evacuees will be met by local Red Cross representatives and provided with medical assistance and other services.
The U.S. State Department is recommending the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon due to the escalating violence between that country and Israel.
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SEVERAL MARYLAND AGENCIES, NONPROFITS WORKING TOGETHER
TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO REPATRIATED AMERICANS
REISTERSTOWN, MD (July 19, 2006) – A variety of Maryland state agencies will be providing services to Americans returning from Lebanon at BWI/Thurgood Marshall Airport this week.
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is coordinating the overall operation in conjunction with the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) is coordinating the services that will be provided to those being repatriated.
Among the services provided:
· Temporary Cash Assistance from DHR, in conjunction with the Office of the Comptroller.
· Medical assistance and any needed mental health screenings, by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
· Hotel accommodation or short-term lodging.
· Temporary day care for children traveling alone.
· Telephone service to contact family and friends, coordinated through the Department of General Services.
· Special services for the elderly and disabled through the departments of Aging, Disabilities and Education.
· Services for service dogs, if needed, through the Department of Agriculture.
Several agencies also are involved in the logistics of the operation, in addition to the agencies listed above. Those agencies include the Maryland Aviation Administration, the Maryland Transportation Authority and their police agency, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services System and the Anne Arundel County Emergency Management Bureau.
This is thought to be the first repatriation in Maryland since one plane load of citizens passed through BWI after two embassy bombings in 1998.
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U.S. Embassy Announces Last Scheduled Ship Departure for American Citizens Who Wish to Depart Lebanon
July 25, 2006 The U.S. Embassy advises American citizens in Lebanon that the last scheduled ship departure from Lebanon will be on Wednesday, July 26. The Embassy believes that most American citizens who wished to depart Lebanon with U.S. Government assistance have now done so. All Americans who wish to depart Lebanon and who are able to do so are strongly urged to do so. They should proceed directly to the Dbayeh Processing Center. Processing will begin on July 26 at 9:00 am. Do not wait for a call from the U.S. Embassy. Further delay is not advisable. Future assisted departures will be on an emergency case-by-case basis and such departures may not be immediate.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is in contact with some American citizens in South Lebanon who have had difficulty in getting to Beirut. These citizens should remain in contact with the U.S. Embassy for further guidance. Family members in the United States of these individuals may contact the Department of State if they have information on their specific location.
The Dbayeh Processing Center is accessed via the Dbayeh Bridge in Beirut. Processing will take place at the Mobile Forces Barracks (Marina Khoury) facing the water station pump near Dbayeh Port. Travelers should be prepared for a wait; they should bring supplies of food and water and wear comfortable shoes and protection from the sun.
Americans wishing to depart with the assistance of the U.S. Government should bring their U.S. passport, money, credit cards, and any other essential documents. Non-Americans traveling with an American immediate relative (spouse, child or parent) must have a valid passport and a valid U.S. visa or green card, if their final destination is the United States. Those Lebanese-Americans who have a Lebanese national ID must bring this ID with them, particularly if they have acquired a new U.S. passport during their stay in Lebanon. They will need to show their Lebanese ID to the Lebanese immigration authorities in order to obtain an exit stamp in their passport.
Each person may bring only one small carry-on, maximum weight 15 kg. In that bag, travelers should bring a change of clothes for 2-3 days, essential medication, glasses/contact lenses, toiletries, water and snack food. If bringing children, it is advisable to bring along one toy for each child, diapers and formula as appropriate, etc. No pets will be allowed.
The initial screening will involve verification of American citizenship and eligibility for travel. To ensure the security of travelers, a security screening will also be conducted. Travelers departing via commercial ship will be taken from the processing center by bus to the port. Before boarding the ship, all passengers will pass through Lebanese immigration procedures at the port.
Travelers transported by the U.S. government will go to Cyprus. Travelers will be met by U.S. consular officers who will assist in moving people to staging sites for preparation for onward travel to the U.S. There will be U.S. Government-chartered aircraft to the east coast of the United States. Once in the U.S., travelers will be able to make onward arrangements to return home.
For the latest on assistance in departing Lebanon, Americans should monitor the local radio – 105.5 FM – and the U.S. Embassy Beirut internet website.
http://lebanon.usembassy.govSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice has directed the State Department to waive the normal requirement for American citizens departing Lebanon on U.S. Government transport to reimburse the Department of State for their travel costs to the first port of entry in the U.S. The U.S. Embassy, with support from the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense, will do everything possible to facilitate the departure of American citizens from Lebanon.
The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. For more information about departures, phone the Department of State at 1-202-501-4444 from overseas, or at 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. and Canada.
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