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Thousands of Americans have left the Middle East since bombs began falling in Iran, but hundreds of thousands are believed to remain in the region as travelers and residents struggle to get help from the State Department.

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer said unanswered requests for assistance are reaching his congressional office. His Virginia district includes Arlington County, Alexandria, Falls Church and parts of Fairfax County, where many residents have connections to embassies, the State Department and other federal agencies operating overseas.

Among those contacting Beyer is a woman whose husband works in diplomatic security in the Middle East. Beyer said she fears for his life after the Marine security guard was withdrawn from the unidentified embassy where he works.

Beyer criticized President Donald Trump’s administration, arguing that officials failed to prepare for the consequences of the military action or evacuate Americans beforehand.

“It’s really been difficult because the State Department themselves don’t know what to tell these people,” Beyer said. “They should have pulled everybody out ahead of time, but they didn’t. They weren’t prepared.”

The State Department’s website directs Americans abroad to follow the latest security alert from their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. It also provides telephone numbers for people seeking assistance from inside or outside the United States.

Beyer acknowledged that the department appears to be adapting, but said contingency planning should have happened earlier. He contrasted the military preparations involving bombs and aircraft with what he described as inadequate planning for Americans caught in the region after the fighting began.

For those still seeking a way out, Beyer advised continuing to contact both the State Department and congressional offices while also exploring local transportation and other available resources.

In some cases, he said, leaving may mean driving toward a border and hoping to cross. Americans in major cities could also consider temporarily relocating to rural areas that may be less likely to become targets.

Beyer said he believes Iran would be more likely to retaliate against a U.S. embassy than against locations outside major population centers.