Germany ups financial support for Syria's White Helmets
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Germany's Foreign Ministry says it is increasing financial support for the Syria Civil Defense group, also known as the White Helmets.
The ministry said in a statement Friday that it has raised its funding for the group this year from 5 million euros ($5.61 million) to 7 million euros ($7.85 million).
White Helmet volunteers are best known for rescuing civilians from bombed-out buildings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Thursday, it was named as one of the recipients of the Right Livelihood Award, sometimes referred to as the "Alternative Nobel," together with activists from Egypt and Russia and a Turkish newspaper.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the group has saved tens of thousands of lives in Syria.