US Approves $40M Emergency Fund for Middle East Evacuations

The State Department has greenlit up to $40 million in emergency funding to charter evacuation flights for Americans stuck in the Middle East due to the Iran conflict. More than 40,000 Americans have returned home since the war began February 28, though most traveled commercially without government help.

WASHINGTON — Federal officials have given the green light to spend as much as $40 million from emergency reserves to fund charter evacuation flights helping Americans escape the Middle East amid ongoing conflict with Iran.

Two government sources, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, revealed that officials tapped into funds typically set aside for emergencies involving embassy and consular personnel.

While State Department representatives confirmed they’re using emergency money, they wouldn’t reveal the exact dollar amount being spent.

“We have sufficient funding to cover our efforts to date,” department officials told the AP. “The administration will work with Congress should additional funding be necessary.”

Federal regulations typically require private citizens to pay back the government for such evacuation services, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio eliminated that payback requirement last week.

Congressional members and stranded travelers have criticized the State Department for inadequate preparation ahead of the U.S.-Israel military action against Iran and for responding too slowly to assist Americans caught in the region. Officials issued departure warnings for Americans across 14 Middle Eastern nations two days after fighting commenced, as airport closures and canceled flights created major travel obstacles.

Such criticism targeting the State Department during international crises has remained constant across both Democratic and Republican leadership, spanning from the 2003 Iraq War launch through the turbulent 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.

Department officials announced Tuesday that over 40,000 Americans have successfully returned from Middle Eastern countries since the Iran conflict started February 28, though most managed to get home using regular commercial airlines without federal assistance.

Officials report organizing more than two dozen charter flights transporting thousands of American citizens from multiple Middle Eastern nations to either the United States or European destinations. However, they note that most of the 27,000-plus individuals who requested help “have declined assistance when offered, opting either to remain in country or book more convenient commercial flight options.”

“At this time, seats available on the department’s charter options are significantly greater than the demand from Americans in the region,” officials stated, noting that evacuation flights “continue to operate with less than 40% occupancy on average.”