New funding for White Helmets in Syria in response to escalation
UK announces new funding to support White Helmets' response to the current escalations in Syria
- UK funding to support the humanitarian group’s response to the current escalation of violence in Syria
- £300,000 allocated to White Helmets following over £2 million provided by the UK this year
- this funding will support vital humanitarian operations, including search and rescue and humanitarian access
Syrians affected by the current escalation of conflict will be supported through UK additional humanitarian funding, announced today.
Delivered through the White Helmets – also known as the Syria Civil Defence (SCD) – this £300,000 of funding follows the £2 million the UK has provided over the last year.
The funding will support search and rescue operations, facilitate humanitarian access, allow the expansion of the White Helmets’ existing ambulance system and enable the safe removal of unexploded weapons.
Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, said:
I was pleased to meet representatives from the White Helmet earlier this week. The White Helmets carry out invaluable work across Syria, saving countless civilian lives and providing essential access for humanitarian aid.
Today, I am announcing an additional £300,000 to support the White Helmets at this critical time. This funding will help the White Helmets meet the humanitarian challenges arising from the ongoing escalation.
We continue to call for urgent de-escalation in Syria, maintaining the protection of civilians and provision of humanitarian aid.
The Minister for the Middle East met with representatives from the White Helmets earlier this week, to reiterate the UK’s commitment to support their vital work across Syria.
More than 48,000 people have been internally displaced in Syria since escalations began on 27 November 2024, with damage to civilian infrastructure including schools, hospitals and displacement camps.
The UK remains concerned about the potential for further escalation in Syria and urges all parties to protect civilian lives and infrastructure to prevent further suffering, the displacement of vulnerable people, and disruption to essential humanitarian aid.
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