Who are the White Helmets, the aid that came to Syria long before the earthquake

Around 100,000 people, from neighbors to rescue teams around the world, are now working hand in hand to search for and rescue victims trapped in the rubble of buildings and other destroyed infrastructure. by the terrible earthquakes in Turkey. The objective: to save the greatest number of lives in the shortest possible time – these tasks become very complicated once 72 hours have passed since the start of the catastrophe. For this reason, more and more devices are sent by different countries to assist in relief efforts of affected people in Turkey.

But what about Syria? The other country enormously devastated by the earthquakes -its fatalities and injuries also count in the thousands- has very few resources and hands to carry out work right now as essential as the one that is being carried out in Turkish territory. The reason: the tremendous civil conflict that has been developing there for yearss, which has entailed important sanctions that today make it very difficult to search for and rescue the victimss. However, there they have a special device, considered the guardian angels of the population due to their reaction to this and many other tragedies: they are the White Helmets.

“When the bombs fall, the White Helmets (also known as the Syrian Civil Defense) come into action. In a place where public services don’t work, these humanitarian volunteers risk their lives to help anyone in need, regardless of their religion or political affiliation.” This is how they present themselves on their website, adding: “Recognizable by their distinctive helmets, the rescue workers operate in one of the most dangerous places on the planet and have saved more than 100,000 lives in the last five years“.

Who are part of the White Helmets

Specifically, it is a relief group formed during the war in Syria to assist the civilian population. The organization currently has some 3,400 members, approximately -252 have died and more than 500 have been injured helping others, they say, “paying the highest price for their compassion.” But they are not rescue or health care professionals, having been “previously bakers, tailors, engineers, pharmacists, painters, carpenters, students and many other professions; coming from all walks of life.”

Funded by various Western nations, these rescuers have moved in recent hours to the north of the country, controlled by the Syrian opposition, to help the victims of the earthquakes. Faced with one of the greatest tragedies the country has suffered, they have asked countries and volunteers for help. Because it is not being easy at all: “More than 76 hours have passed since the earthquake. We have pulled hundreds of dead from under the rubble of destroyed houses, and the situation remains dire with the presence of hundreds more buried.”

Precisely, with the aim of giving a quick response and effectively assisting the victims they manage to rescue, have asked the international community to donate money and resources: “We are working non-stop to rescue survivors from below the rubble, help us save more lives. We still hear cries for help from those trapped under the rubble. Many of our own families and neighbors have not survived. Thousands are dead. Thousands to go more. We are doing everything we can, but we need your help. Our existing equipment and supplies are not enough to deal with this disaster.”

These are the words of Raed Al Saleh, Chief of the White Helmets, who recalls that right now they need “fuel and spare parts for ambulancesmore heavy lifting equipment to clear the rubble and secure the areas”. Al Saleh also recalled that, although this earthquake “would be a disaster for any country”, in northern Syria the situation is worse: “Millions of people live in buildings weakened by years of bombing and the hospital system has been destroyed by the Assad regime and Russia.” That money is also used to purchase all kinds of resources to carry out their work effectively.

Safety glasses, knee and elbow protection, first aid kits, gas masks, defibrillators, rescue ropes, fire extinguishers and, of course, helmets, are some of the many tools they need to acquire. to work at the same level and pace as in Turkey, in addition to the basic resources mentioned above. Because, as you remember, all lives matter in the face of a massacre that continues to register more and more fatalities and injuries every so often.

The White Helmets, on Netflix

The work of the White Helmets has been discussed on many occasions. Because not only governments and institutions have praised his commitment to defending human rights and his hard work to protect people in vulnerable situations. Already in the year 2016, Netflix produced a documentary directed by the British Orlando von Einsiedel in which the day-to-day life of these volunteers is portrayed in the face of the serious consequences of the violence suffered by the country both internally and against other nations.

Specifically, as the violence in Syria and Turkey escalates, in ‘The White Helmets’ the camera follows three volunteers of this organization who risk everything to save citizens who have been affected by the war, while worrying about their own safety and that of their loved ones. A documentary that somehow pays tribute to all those men and women who have not hesitated to put their lives at stake to save others, as is happening now.