The women of The White Helmets – a group of volunteers who work to save lives in war-torn Syria – were the recipients of the Good Housekeeping Women of the Year award at a ceremony in London this afternoon.

Since 1955, the awards have recognised women achieving incredible feats in the world.

In acceptance being recognised this year, The White Helmets said:

‘We are very appreciative that our work is being acknowledged by Women of the Year.

‘[We] have saved over 99,000 lives in Syria. These rescues include countless women and children. We are so grateful for the support of our on-going lifesaving work.’



Abir Moussa started volunteering with The White Helmets after she witnessed her husband bleed to death following an injury caused by a reported Syrian government air strike. After attending a couple of first aid courses Abir began to join her male colleagues on rescue missions in search for survivors and providing medical aid to the injured.

The group, officially known as Syria Civil Defence, operates in parts of rebel-controlled Syria and Turkey, and works fearlessly fighting fires, stabilising the injured and finding and rescuing survivors of wars that have killed hundreds of thousands of people.

The White Helmets, which is a 3,300 strong group, includes 375 women. Initally these women worked against opposition from the men in their positions - but as adversity took greater hold of Syria, the emergency services’ attitudes changed.

These heroic women are trained in medical care as well as search and rescue work and they work along with their male colleagues in responding to missile strikes.

They are showing what can be done with courage, strength and determination and their selfless actions are encouraging other women to follow their lead.



Images: MOHAMAD ABAZEED/AFP/Getty Images)

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