In March 2013, some of these volunteer teams received their first training in Turkey on the work of ‘urban search and rescue’ from a training organisation that specialises in response to natural disasters, such as earthquakes. 252 volunteers have been killed in the line of duty since 2013. The volunteers save people on all sides of the conflict – pledging commitment to the principles of “Humanity, Solidarity, Impartiality” as outlined under international humanitarian law. [41], In May 2018, the US State Department announced that funding has been frozen for the White Helmets. $48.02, The White Helmets: [66] In 2018, the White Helmets' vice president reported that the group’s financing for 2018 from foreign governments had fallen to $12 million from $18 million the previous year. … The work of the White Helmets has expanded in response to the needs of the communities they serve, now providing essential services to millions of people. [62], In 2015, the SCD unsuccessfully lobbied the European Union (EU) and governments to impose a no fly zone over certain parts of Syria to protect civilians from airstrikes. Their inspiring work has earned them recognition at the highest international levels and they have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times. [101] SCD head Raed Saleh was unable to attend the Oscars ceremony due to escalation of the conflict, despite having a valid visa. This website is built and managed by The Syria Campaign – an independent advocacy group dedicated to building support for Syria’s heroes. Formed in 2014 during the Syrian Civil War, the majority of the volunteers' activity in Syria consists of medical evacuation, urban search and rescue in response to bombing, evacuation of civilians from danger areas, and essential service delivery. * The name “Syria Civil Defence” was stolen from the legitimate Syrian organization of the same name. They have managed to fool millions of people. About See All +90 538 441 13 36. www.syriacivildefense.org. [77] Initially the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office was the largest single source of funding through Mayday Rescue Foundation. Genres. We need all the support we can to save lives in Syria. Can't donate now? [125][126], In June 2017, a member of the White Helmets was suspended indefinitely after he was discovered to have assisted armed militants in the burial of mutilated corpses of soldiers belonging to pro-government forces. Omar Danqueesh became a symbol of the … Their data and eyewitness testimonies, as well as photographic evidence, have been vital sources of information for international investigations into war crimes compiled by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and human rights groups. Following a request from Bashar al-Assad for support, Russia intervened in the Syrian Civil War on 30 September 2015. [68], In 2017, Politico listed Khaled Omar Harrah, a leading member in Aleppo, known as the 'child rescuer', as one of the 28 people "shaping, shaking and stirring Europe". The group is not Syrian; it was created with USA/UK funding under the supervision of a British military contractor in 2013 in Turkey. Winner of the Grand Jury Documentary prize at the Sundance Film Festival, Fighting for life in Syria’s vicious civil war: 60 Minutes - CBS. ", "Why Assad and Russia Target the White Helmets", "How Syria's White Helmets became victims of an online propaganda machine", "FACT CHECK: Syrian Rescue Organization 'The White Helmets' Are Terrorists", "After Oscar win, Russian Embassy calls Syria's White Helmets 'actors,' not life-savers", "Inside the conspiracy theory that turned Syria's first responders into terrorists", "White Helmets 'staging fake attacks' in Syria? To keep count in 2014 at the height of … the White Helmets ’ a! 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