Germany to take in 8 Syrian 'White Helmets,' families
BERLIN — Germany says it will take in eight Syrian rescue workers known as White Helmets, who were evacuated from southern Syria by the Israeli military.
The German government said in a statement yesterday that preparations are underway to bring the volunteers and an unspecified number of family members to Germany.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas was quoted as saying that "the efforts of the White Helmets deserve admiration and respect." Maas noted that the group has saved more than 100,000 lives since the start of the Syrian conflict.
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said giving the rescue workers shelter "is a humanitarian obligation. More than 250 White Helmets have been killed in the war since 2013.
Germany has provided the group with 12 million euros ($14 million) in funding since 2016.
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