Dear friends,
We are honoured that ‘The White Helmets’ film has received an Oscar. This film has helped show the world what is happening in Syria. It will give great courage to our volunteers across the country.
But we are not happy to do what we do. We abhor the reality we live in. Yesterday there were dozens of attacks across Syria, chemical weapons were used against children and a White Helmets centre was bombed. Still we carry on.
This is a Ahmad, a White Helmets volunteer, rescuing his nephew from one of the attacks in Idlib. After this picture was taken he went back to try and rescue his brother and his sister-in-law:
We don’t want support to continue this work, but to end this work. I ask everyone who is listening and seeing me now across the world to take a stand to stop the killing of civilians in Syria, to pressure governments to end the ongoing Syrian conflict and to hold those accountable for war crimes to account. We hope this film and the attention helps move the world to act to stop the bloodshed in Syria.
Thank you for standing with us us on the side of life — it is a great comfort to us all.
In peace,
Raed, Head of the White Helmets (Syria Civil Defence)
Raed did not attend the Oscars due to the pressures of their work, but you can watch Raed’s video message. If you want to support their work please donate to replace the lifesaving kit they lost in yesterday’s attack.