US to provide $5 million for White Helmets and IIIM in Syria

The US administration announced on Thursday (March 14) its intention to provide $5 million for the White Helmets and the UN’s International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM). 

The United States intends to provide $5 million for the continuation of the vital, life-saving operations of the White Helmets in Syria and in support of the UN’s IIIM which is charged with assisting the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under International Law committed in Syria since March 2011, State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said.

These contributions to the White Helmets and IIIM demonstrate the United States’ commitment and ongoing support for justice and accountability in Syria, Palladino added.

The United States Government strongly supports the work of the White Helmets. They have saved more than 114,000 lives since the conflict began, including victims of Assad’s vicious chemical weapons attacks, the press statement added.

With over 2,800 volunteers, White Helmets continue to provide search and rescue, emergency response, and early recovery operations helping civilians in areas outside the Assad regime control.