Updated

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.

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.