White Helmets (Syrian Civil War)
| الدفاع المدني السوري | |
 |
|
| Abbreviation | SCD |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2014 |
| Founder | James Le Mesurier |
| Purpose | Civil defense |
|
Region served
|
Syrian opposition-controlled areas |
|
Official languages
|
Syrian Arabic |
|
Head
|
Raed Saleh |
|
Volunteers
|
3,000 (with monthly stipend) |
| Website | syriacivildefense |
The White Helmets (Arabic: الخوذ البيضاء ,القبعات البيضاء al-Ḫawdh al-bayḍāʾ / al-Qubaʿāt al-Bayḍāʾ), officially known as Syria Civil Defence (SCD; Arabic: الدفاع المدني السوري ad-Difāʿ al-Madanī as-Sūrī), is a volunteer organisation that operates in parts of rebel-controlled Syria and in Turkey. The majority of their activity in Syria consists of urban search and rescue in response to bombing, medical evacuation, evacuation of civilians from danger areas, and essential service delivery. 159 White Helmets have been killed since the organisation's inception.
The organisation has been the target of a disinformation campaign by supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Iranian and Russia-sponsored media organisations such as Russia Today (RT), with unproven claims of close ties with terrorist activities.
The rescue teams that later became Syria Civil Defence emerged during the late 2012 escalation of the Syrian Civil War, as areas no longer under government control came under sustained attack by government forces. In response, in the absence of formal governmental structures, small groups of civilian volunteers from affected communities, particularly in Aleppo and Idlib, assembled to assist civilians injured in bombardment or trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Training, funding and support was provided from international partners, including donations from governments in Western Europe, the US and Japan; the Turkish AKUT Search and Rescue Association; and a variety of NGOs, private individuals, public fundraising campaigns, and charities. Primary support and training was provided by Mayday Rescue Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation established by former British Army officer James Le Mesurier, and became a key factor in the development of the organisation.
...
Wikipedia