TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – As the Israeli-Iran conflict intensifies, Florida lawmakers and a Tampa-based rescue nonprofit are launching evacuation efforts to help Americans, including families in the Tampa Bay Area, become trapped overseas.
Hillsboro County volunteers and lawmakers are moving swiftly to help stuck Americans as the Middle East crisis escalates.
State Senator Jay Collins’ Father’s Day looks different this year as he travels to war zones.
“Think about Father’s Day today. What if it was one of my sons, my child? Don’t you want someone to go home and see their family? I mean, I’m my husband and dad.
Hillsboro County lawmakers are heading for Israel as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to grow.
“Yeah, we have people all over the state right now. We’re now getting hundreds of American citizens ready to go home. All flights have been cancelled and the ports are closed,” he said.
On the ground, Project Dynamo, a Tampa-based nonprofit, also has teams throughout the Middle East to help with emergency evacuations.
“We are pleased to announce that we are committed to providing a range of services to our customers,” said Mario Duarte, president and CEO of Project Dynamo.
They rescued thousands of people ago, but they say the mission feels heavy.
“It’s satisfying to actually be able to deliver a son, daughter, father, or grandchild to the arms of a grandma or mother. It’s heartwarming.
Project Dynamo says it has evacuated more than 7,000 people around the world. Senator Collins is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday to assess the needs of Floridians on the ground.
