Syria’s White Helmets face ‘freeze’ on US funding

BEIRUT: Syria's White Helmets rescue force are facing a "freeze" on funding from the US, its chief told AFP on Saturday, saying he was worried President Donald Trump would suddenly cut support.

Raed Saleh said that Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, would continue its programming but that financial support coming from the US was under review.

"We were not formally told of any halt to funding, but what we were informed of was a freeze to some of the Middle Eastern projects by American organisations, in order to review their feasibility," he said. "Among them are projects linked to stabilisation in Syria, which includes part of the White Helmets' work," Saleh added.

Speaking from Turkey, he told AFP the group's plans were being "completely reviewed". "This happens every year but this year, no one can predict President Trump's decisions," Saleh said.

The US State Department said in April that funds earmarked for Syria's "stabilisation" were being re-assessed, but did not say whether funding for the White Helmets would stop.

Media reports said the White House had instructed the State Department to freeze over $200 million funds for "recovery efforts" in Syria.