By Sean Ryan - 20 August, 2017
Martin Quinn, Honorary Secretary of the Tipperary Peace Convention
The Syrian Civil Defence White Helmets who brave death and serious injury every day during the civil war in Syria are to receive the 2016 Tipperary (Ireland) International Peace Award.
The announcement was made recently by the Tipperary Peace Convention through its Hon. Secretary Mr Martin Quinn.
Making the announcement, Mr Quinn said “today’s announcement will focus international attention on the Syrian crisis and supports those who are risking their lives to save others. The White Helmets’ selection is a testament to the enormous bravery and courage shown by these ordinary Syrians who have saved upwards on 100,000 people, and the 192 volunteers who have paid the ultimate price with their lives.”
He added that SCD’s stated mission is “to save the greatest number of lives in the shortest possible time and to minimise further injury to people and damage to property.
“The bulk of their activity in Syria consists of urban search and rescue in response to bombing, medical evacuation, evacuation of civilians from danger areas, and essential service delivery.
“As well as providing rescue services, SCD undertakes repair works such as securing damaged buildings and reconnecting electrical and water services, clearing roads, teaching children about unexploded ordnance hazards, as well as firefighting and winter storm relief.”
Responding to the news of their selection, a spokesperson for the White Helmets said “We are very happy to receive this peace prize because it means that there are still people around the world who support our mission to protect lives, and that the voices for peace are much stronger than the voices for war with guns and bombs. On receiving this award it will really motivate all our volunteers to work harder and to continue the work with greater determination, as we have saved 100,000 people from under the rubble.”
Those who do not die, but are hurt, hidden and incapacitated by rubble, will be reached by their neighbours – men clad in the jumpsuit of the first responder and protected by headgear that has already grown iconic – the White Helmets.
The White Helmets
The streaming service Netflix released a documentary film entitled The White Helmets by British director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara on 16 September 2016. The film won the Best Documentary (Short Subject) at the 89th Academy Awards.
SCD is officially an impartial humanitarian NGO, with no affiliation to any political or military actor and a commitment to render services to anyone in need. It has verifiable international funding through the reputable Mayday Rescue Org., under the stewardship of James Le Mesurier.
Previous recipients of the Tipperary International Peace Award include former South African President the late Nelson Mandela; Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof; former US President Bill Clinton; former Prime Minister of Lebanon the late Rafic Hariri; Afghan Human Rights Activist Dr Sima Samar; former Prime Minister of Pakistan the late Benazir Bhutto; former US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and her brother the late Ted Kennedy; former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and her husband Senator Martin McAleese; Pakistani schoolgirl and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai; American Diplomat Dr Richard Haass; former Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-moon; and last year’s recipient, former US Secretary of State John Kerry.
The Tipperary International Peace Award will be presented to the White Helmets at a ceremony in Tipperary next month.
