As Syria embarks on its path to recovery, the White Helmets are poised to play a pivotal role in rebuilding the nation, having been appointed as minister of emergencies and disaster management. With their dedication and bravery, they are helping to rebuild a nation that was once ravaged by war.
Since the end of Syria’s civil war, the ‘White Helmets have been working tirelessly to rebuild and provide aid to those affected by the conflict.’ Founded in 2013 as a group of volunteers, they gained international recognition for their bravery and selflessness in rescuing civilians during the war.
The White Helmets, officially known as the Syrian Civil Defence, is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency response and rescue services in Syria.
Founded in 2013, the group has saved thousands of lives from bombed buildings and rubble.
The White Helmets are known for their distinctive white helmets and have been recognized internationally for their bravery and selflessness.
They operate in opposition-held areas, providing critical aid to civilians affected by the conflict.
The White Helmets’ founder, Raed Saleh, has been appointed to Syria’s Cabinet as minister of emergencies and disaster management. This marks a significant shift for the organization, which is now expanding its services across the entire country.
During the war, Syria’s former president, ‘Bashar al-Assad,’ viewed the White Helmets with suspicion, associating them with the rebels trying to oust him. He spread conspiracy theories about the group, portraying them as terrorists and traitors. However, with Assad’s ouster, the White Helmets have been given a chance to prove themselves.
The White Helmets are now facing a new challenge: dealing with the aftermath of the war. They are working to find missing people, identify mass graves, and clear cluster munitions. Their workload has quadrupled, with an average of 15,000 missions per month.
The White Helmets started as volunteers from various backgrounds, including butchers, bankers, and shopkeepers. Today, they have grown into a well-organized force with over 3,300 members. Many are former Assad regime firefighters who have joined the organization in an effort to provide aid to those in need.
For some White Helmets, the trauma of the past decade is still fresh. However, they remain committed to their work, providing psychological support to the public and responding to emergencies with speed and efficiency. As one member noted, ‘This whole country has PTSD.’
As Syria begins its journey towards recovery, the White Helmets are at the forefront of the effort. With their dedication and bravery, they are helping to rebuild a nation that was once ravaged by war.
