Trump Administration Cuts Majority of Funding for Syrian White Helmets

In this February 2023 photo, members of the Syrian civil defense, known as the White Helmets, transport a casualty from the rubble of buildings in the village of Azmarin, in Syria's Idlib following an earthquake. Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images
In this February 2023 photo, members of the Syrian civil defense, known as the White Helmets, transport a casualty from the rubble of buildings in the village of Azmarin, in Syria's Idlib following an earthquake. Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images

By Kardo Roj

WASHINGTON, U.S. (North Press) – The Trump administration has ended most of its funding for the White Helmets, a key Syrian humanitarian organization, according to internal documents and statements from the group.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has terminated funding that supported the White Helmets’ firefighting, search and rescue, and community resilience programs as part of a broad rollback of foreign aid. A smaller State Department contract remains active, aimed at supporting accountability efforts.

The move to cut millions in aid comes at a crucial moment for Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime and a period of political transition. The White Helmets, formally known as Syria Civil Defense, played a major role in emergency medical response, evacuations, and search-and-rescue missions throughout the Syrian conflict. Despite being targeted by the former regime and its allies, including Russia, the group has historically received strong US support.

Farouq Habib, the White Helmets’ deputy general manager, called the decision “devastating,” especially given the organization’s growing role in post-conflict Syria.

“We used to serve 5 million civilians in opposition-controlled areas. Now, after the fall of Assad, we work for 20 million across Syria,” Habib told CNN.

“We’re trying to bridge the gap with funds from European donors, but it won’t be enough to cover our full budget for the year.”

The White Helmets have been formally notified of the USAID contract termination, but discussions are ongoing in hopes of reversing the decision.

Despite the funding cut, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously assured that the administration would not defund life-saving programs.

In a letter to Congress, a USAID official confirmed that more than 5,300 foreign aid awards had been terminated as of March 21, including a $30 million contract for the White Helmets.

A State Department spokesperson told CNN that its own funding for the White Helmets “has resumed”, and that all terminated USAID awards were reviewed to align with administration priorities.

“Each award was individually reviewed to ensure it supports America’s safety, strength, and prosperity,” the spokesperson said.

While a $1.4 million State Department contract for the White Helmets remains active, the loss of USAID’s larger financial support raises concerns about the organization’s ability to continue its life-saving humanitarian operations across Syria.