The Infrastructure and Public Community Services Program
Since its inception, the program has been an extension of the White Helmets’ commitment to war-affected communities, focusing on rehabilitation and reconstruction in war-torn or disaster-stricken areas. This includes the rehabilitation of infrastructure such as roads, sewage systems, drinking water networks, schools, universities, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and public facilities. In addition, the program aims to enhance community resilience through service activities related to maintenance and response, involving interventions to alleviate the suffering of displaced and forcibly displaced persons.
- Restoration and Rehabilitation of Infrastructure: Planning, designing, and implementing infrastructure projects that enhance community resilience and recovery from disasters, such as the construction and rehabilitation of roads, sewage, and water networks, as well as vital facilities to ensure they continue to serve communities.
- Resource Management: Empowering and efficiently managing resources, including funding, staff, and equipment, to support service efforts, respond to disasters, and ensure ongoing efforts to empower and strengthen community resilience.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaborating with local communities and non-profit organizations to strengthen partnerships that enhance the integration and synergy of efforts to increase community resilience and meet their needs and interests for a dignified and secure life.
- Supporting Disaster Response: Coordinating and leading pre-disaster response efforts through preparedness measures to mitigate future crises, responding during and after disasters, and ensuring swift and effective responses to minimize damage and support affected individuals and families.
- Promoting an Integrated Approach: Protecting the environment, mitigating, and adapting to climate change, and finding optimal and sustainable solutions for current and future interventions.
- Demolition and Debris Removal: Demolish unstable buildings that have been damaged by shelling, natural disasters, or other factors, and pose a threat to human life. Remove debris from residential areas, roads, and public facilities.
- Road Opening and Rehabilitation: Open new roads to serve local communities and rehabilitate and maintain existing roads using available resources (e.g., asphalt, interlock, cement).
- Camp Preparation and Ground Leveling: Level and grade land, spreading materials like gravel or fill, to make the ground suitable for setting up tents and housing displaced persons. This activity also includes preparing public facilities like parks and squares.
- Grave Digging: Regularly digging graves for communities and camps in coordination with local councils and camp administrations, particularly during epidemics like COVID-19 or cholera, and during disasters, wars, or even under normal circumstances.
- Electricity Network Repairs: Assist local councils and electricity providers in maintaining public networks, street lighting, and public facilities by providing necessary equipment such as cranes.
- Shelter Preparation: Rehabilitate, maintain, and equip shelters in residential buildings, schools, and public facilities for use during disasters and wars. This includes cleaning, maintenance, lighting, and providing firefighting equipment.
- Tree Planting: Organize and participate in tree-planting campaigns, planting trees in parks, road medians, roundabouts, and public spaces, with contributions in manpower, equipment, and trees.
- Water Pathway Construction and Rain Barrier Installation: Create pathways for rainwater to channel its flow into designated streams, preventing it from reaching camps. Raise earth barriers around camps to protect them from rainwater.
- Water Supply: Transport and supply water using civil defense vehicles to public sector institutions such as schools, hospitals, health centers, care homes, and public facilities, as well as watering trees and gardens.
- Sewage Line Installation: Dig and install sewage lines in communities lacking these services, and maintain existing lines.
- Washing and Cleaning: Wash and clean schools, streets, public squares, places of worship, and other public buildings and facilities using civil defense equipment and personnel.
- Garbage Removal and Landfill Clearing: Organize city, town, and village-wide clean-up campaigns. Collect garbage from streets, parks, or public facilities and transport it to landfills outside residential areas. Clear landfills where waste is dumped haphazardly, expanding the landfill's capacity by removing excess waste when necessary.
- Logistical and Community Services: Provide logistical support by transporting furniture, books, and office supplies to schools.