The Syria Civil Defence (White Helmets) organization announced its complete merger with the Syrian government and the transfer of emergency response programs to the Syrian Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, on Tuesday, June 3.

The Civil Defence transferred other files related to the organization, including justice, accountability, and advocacy, to other ministries and agencies, according to their specialization.

The implementation of the legal and administrative procedures related to the organization’s merger will take place during a transitional period in accordance with “the highest standards of professionalism,” and in compliance with Syrian and international laws and obligations.

The organization announced, during a press conference attended by Enab Baladi, the formation of specialized legal and technical committees to lead this transitional phase.

The decision by the organization came after its tenth annual meeting in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and was made with the agreement of the majority of the members of the General Assembly, which is the highest legislative body within the organization.

The organization considered that the decision ensures the unification of efforts and the development of emergency response at the national level, within a governmental institutional framework.

According to the Civil Defence, the decision comes in the context of “achieving the higher interests of the Syrians and embodies the commitment to the charter of principles that was signed ten years ago.”

About the Syria Civil Defence

The Syria Civil Defence is a humanitarian organization that began its work in late 2012 with volunteer teams at the grassroots level throughout Syria, aiming to respond to the military operations conducted by the previous Syrian regime against populated cities and villages.

The Civil Defence has been led by Raed al-Saleh since 2013, until he took on the role of Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management at the end of March.

On October 25, 2014, 72 leaders of volunteer teams met in the Turkish city of Adana, where they officially announced the establishment of the “Syria Civil Defence,” later known as the “White Helmets,” adopting the Quranic verse, “And whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity” as the team’s motto.

In recent years, the organization’s activities have been limited to response operations, rescue missions, demining, and clearing war remnants in northwestern Syria, where the opposition was in control.

After the fall of the previous regime, the work of the Civil Defence expanded to include most areas of Syria controlled by the current Syrian government, with the exception of northeastern Syria, which is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The humanitarian team’s activities have extended to include civil activities in cooperation with volunteer civil teams, such as cleaning parks, streets, and public places, and contributing to beautification efforts in cities.

It has also assisted in extinguishing fires that broke out in various areas of Syria, most notably in forests in the central and western parts of the country.

The Civil Defence comprises about 3,300 individuals who have contributed to saving more than 128,000 people and lost 321 volunteers during their missions, due to rescue operations, demining, and military activities.

The Civil Defence receives UN support from sponsoring countries and organizations, which has led some activists to call for keeping the organization out of governmental institutions to retain its funding.