“Tuesdays with Morrie” Author Mitch Albom Evacuated from Haiti amid Surging Gang Violence

"We pray for help in making their country safe for them again and we will be back with them the moment it is possible," Albom said

• Mitch Albom, the author of Tuesdays with Morrie, said in a post on Instagram Tuesday that he and his wife were evacuated from Haiti amid turmoil in the country

• "We were luckier than a lot of others," he said in his post

• Regional leaders are working to help the country install a transitional council following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry

Author Mitch Albom was evacuated from Haiti as conditions in the country have continued to deteriorate amid unrest and gang violence.

The Tuesdays with Morrie author said in a post on Instagram Tuesday that a group from his orphanage, Have Faith Haiti, including him and his wife, had been evacuated and were back in the United States.

"We had been sheltering in place since a state of emergency was declared," he said in the post. "I had a responsibility to bring home 8 wonderful volunteers who were working with us. But my wife's and my hearts ache for our kids still there."

The orphanage in Port-au-Prince is operated by the A Hole in the Roof Foundation, a nonprofit founded by the author and journalist.

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"Saying goodbye to them this time was horribly difficult," he continued. "We pray for help in making their country safe for them again and we will be back with them the moment it is possible."

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He shared his "deepest thanks to everyone who sent messages and prayers," adding, "We were luckier than a lot of others. Please don't forget about them."

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At the request of the State Department, the U.S. Southern Command "deployed a U.S. Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team," which among other things, allowed "non-emergency personnel to depart," the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Our Marines in Haiti completed their assignment and were relieved by a secondary team of Marines," the U.S. Southern Command said. "The U.S. Embassy remains open, and limited operations continue, focused on assistance to US citizens and supporting Haitian led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power."

Wednesday's move came a day after the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, according to CBS News. Regional leaders are working to help the country install a transitional council.

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However, the violent gangs largely in control of Port-au-Prince want to be consulted, and they would not recognize the new government, per the report.

Albom noted that many "Americans, Canadians, and others who are still stuck are not" safe.

"The people of Haiti are not," the author continued. "I hope that our attention can turn to them and how we can help restore peace and safety to a beautiful country and its people, including our kids, who deserve so much better."

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