On the Killings of Seven Members of the Syrian Civil Defense (the White Helmets)

We are outraged and deeply saddened by the killings of seven members of the Syrian Civil Defense (the White Helmets), an extraordinary organization that has provided a beacon of hope for Syrians by providing remarkable search and rescue operations in a dangerous and challenging environment.  Earlier this year, Refugees International presented the White Helmets with our highest humanitarian honor, the McCall-Pierpaoli Award, and we now offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of those whose lives were taken on Saturday.  We hope and trust that their critically important work will continue.  This is a tragic reminder of the significant risks that humanitarian aid providers confront every day, and of the critical importance of bringing an end to impunity for those guilty of wanton abuses of international humanitarian law.