Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh announced on Tuesday the merger of the Syrian Civil Defense with the Ministry of Emergency Management, a move described as a historic shift in humanitarian and relief work within Syria.
The announcement came during an official press conference, reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The minister indicated that "the merger of the rescue agency within the ministry aims to strengthen the national emergency response and unify rescue and disaster response efforts within an organized government framework."
The White Helmets published a statement on its official website announcing the results of its tenth annual meeting, held on Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1, in the capital, Damascus. The statement described the event as "a historic moment, the first of its kind since its founding in 2013."
The statement stated that the organization's General Assembly, which represents its highest legislative authority, held lengthy deliberations and concluded with a majority decision to fully merge the organization with the Syrian government, with emergency response programs transferred to the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management.
The statement added that this decision "aims to unify efforts and develop disaster response at the national level, within an official governmental institutional framework." The decision also stipulated the transfer of the organization's remaining programs, including justice, accountability, and advocacy, to the relevant ministries and government agencies.
This announcement represents a qualitative shift in the history of the White Helmets, which began its work in 2013 amid the escalation of the Syrian conflict. It is known for its efforts to rescue civilians from under the rubble following bombing and fighting, particularly in northern Syria.
The decision opens the door to a new phase in the relationship between the Syrian state and local humanitarian organizations, amid ongoing challenges related to reconstruction and responding to natural and human-made disasters in the country.
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