Earlier quoted context omitted.
I lived in Nigeria during a period of violence when thousands died. One of my enduring memories was the reactions of the Americans living there at the time. They were so sure that the army would come and save them and when it didn't they were dumbfounded. When someone from the US eventually turned up after the violence had all died down all the US citizens were offered was the opportunity to be part of the convey out…
Uh, did any of those American citizens make their way to the US embassy? That's how you get out of the country if violence is breaking out. Nobody in government would even know you're there beyond some database.
When a citizen has made their way to usually the largest, most well connected city in the continent already it's not much of a rescue.
And yes they were expecting a Saving Private Ryan moment.