8 Interesting Facts About The White Helmets

Amidst the prevailing turmoil and the brutal Civil War in Syria, The White Helmets is a civil organization which is like a silver lining for this war-torn country. Here are some interesting facts about The White Helmets worth knowing:

image: pbs.twimg.com

1. Civil Defense Organization

The White Helmets is a Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) organization. It is a volunteer organization which renders its services during the Syrian Civil War.
source: wikipedia

2. Financed by the West 

The White Helmets is being supported by a foundation- Mayday Rescue which is registered in Netherlands.
source: wikipedia, image: pbs.twimg.com

3. Founder

In 2013, a British Security Consultant- James Le Mesurier started early training of volunteers.
source: mtheatlantic.co, image: aljazeera.com

4. When it was formally founded!

In October 2014, a group of self-organized teams- Idlib, Hama, Aleppo, Latakia, Homs, Damascus Countryside and Daraa, all came together to form one national organization- Syrian Civil Defense (The White Helmets) and on 25 October 2014, it was formally founded.
source: wikipedia

5. Modus Operandi 

The bulk activity of The White Helmets includes search & rescue in response to firefighters, medical evacuation, bombing and evacuations of civilians from danger areas. The volunteers’ main aim is to save as much lives as possible, whether those of the friends or foes.
source: theatlantic.com, image: 3.bp.blogspot.com

6. One of the most Dangerous Jobs!

It has more than 3000 civil volunteers who risk their lives to save the lives in danger and is considered as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Every volunteer is paid $150 monthly as stipend. 141 volunteers have lost their lives in the rescue operations so-far.
source: whitehelmets.org, image: newsdeeply.imgix.net

7. Winner of Alternative Nobel Prize

In September 2016, The White Helmets was awarded with the Right Livelihood Award (also known as Alternative Nobel Prize). It was also considered as one of the strongest contenders to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016.
source: currentaffairs.gktoday.in, image: pbs.twimg.com

8. Documentary on The White Helmets

On 16 September 2016, a documentary- The White Helmets was released by the streaming service- Netflix.
source: wikipedia, image: pbs.twimg.com