Members of the Syrian rebel-affiliated civilian rescue team, the 'White Helmets,' are carrying a victim found in the rubble of a building in the village of Azmarin, Idlib province, northwest Syria, on the 7th (local time). The White Helmets have been leading the response efforts immediately after the earthquake struck the affected areas. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The civilian rescue organization 'White Helmets,' conducting rescue operations in Syria, which suffered great damage from the earthquake, has appealed for help.
On the 8th (local time), White Helmets announced through their official Twitter account that they had opened a fundraising page on the online donation site 'GoFundMe.' White Helmets stated, "Thousands have died and more than thousands are missing in Syria," and urged, "Please help (rescue operations) through donations."
Rad al-Saleh, the representative of White Helmets, explained in the fundraising page introduction, "Fuel and parts are needed for ambulances, and heavy equipment is required to clear debris and protect the earthquake-affected areas." He added that White Helmets have saved more than 125,000 lives in Syria so far.
The fundraising goal is $500,000 (approximately 630 million KRW). As of the 9th, $172,098 (approximately 216.5 million KRW) has been raised. The funds are expected to be used for medical support for survivors and the injured, provision of shelters, food and drinking water, blankets and clothing to maintain body temperature, and purchase of heating devices.
White Helmets was organized in 2013 as a civilian rescue team on the side of the Syrian opposition forces. Despite the ongoing civil war in Syria for over 10 years, they have been conducting rescue operations while avoiding attacks from government forces.
They were even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. However, some critics claim that the organization is linked to radical opposition groups.
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