Georgia May Receive American Evacuees From Lebanon

Georgia May Receive American Evacuees From Lebanon

First Flight Tentatively Scheduled for 6:50 a.m. Friday, July 28

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has requested the state of Georgia, through Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, to accept multiple repatriation flights carrying American citizens evacuating from Lebanon. The first flight is tentatively scheduled to arrive at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Friday, July 28, with additional flights the morning of Saturday, July 29.

“Georgia is committed to help American citizens come home, and we’re prepared to provide the assistance they need during this difficult time,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I have directed the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Human Resources to assemble their resources and collaborate with state and federal agencies to provide any necessary services required to evacuating individuals and families.”

The agencies will join together to provide a range of services to the repatriates. Services available for evacuees will include health care resources and assistance securing lodging, locating family members, and finding available means of transportation to other parts of the United States.

Last week Georgia officials were alerted by HHS staff that Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport could be needed as a repatriation port of entry for Americans evacuating from Lebanon. Georgia’s repatriation effort will be coordinated and funded by the federal government. Further details on flight arrival times and the size of passenger loads will be distributed by GEMA as it becomes available.

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