Our Refugee-Led Partners
Refugee Protection International partners with these refugee-led nonprofits and grassroots organizations on this refugee self-reliance initiative:
MAPS
Multi Aid Programs (MAPS) was set-up by a Syrian neurosurgeon and initially operated under the wings of several non-profit entities in Lebanon before securing its own nonprofit status in 2016. MAPS has provided over 500,000 services to Syrian refugees and vulnerable locals in Bekaa Valley and Aarsal in the areas of non-formal education, health care, continuing education, community service, and relief items. This non-governmental organization has 220 Syrian staff working on its education programs. MAPS is registered in Lebanon, with a sister branch registered in Germany.
Kids Paradise
Kids Paradise is an impartial, independent and non-profit NGO, registered as a charity in Turkey. Led by Turkish and Syrian nationals, Kids Paradise strives to empower vulnerable Syrians, especially children and women, whose lives and dreams have been shattered by war. They implement innovative humanitarian and self-reliance projects in Turkey and Syria in the areas of food security and livelihoods, urgent response, shelter and non-food items, and water and sanitation. Kids Paradise was originally founded by a group of Syrian volunteers in March 2012, and was officially registered in 2016. They have offices in Ankara and Antakya, Turkey.
URDA
The Union of Relief and Development Associations (URDA) seeks to be an influential reference for humanitarian work in Lebanon and the leading umbrella for grassroots initiatives with sustainable capabilities working professionally to develop the society under international standards.RPI also partners with the following refugee-led organizations on humanitarian aid:
Basmeh and Zeitooneh
Basmeh and Zeitooneh was launched in Lebanon in 2012, to fill the gaps in humanitarian and livelihoods assistance provided to Syrian refugees, with a particular focus on women and children. Registered in Lebanon and Turkey, Basmeh and Zeitonneh operates within Lebanon, southern Turkey, and northern Syria. Led by expatriate Syrian staff, this NGO has sound ties with the international humanitarian community.
Olive Branch
Olive Branch is a humanitarian non-profit organization that is headquartered and registered in Gaziantep, Turkey. Olive Branch has benefited hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and local residents in southern and northern Syria since 2012 through needs assessments, education, protection, livelihoods, and women’s development. They have 500 workers on the ground and currently prioritize northwestern Syria and southern Turkey. Led by expatriate Syrian staff, Olive Branch also has offices in Lebanon, Jordan, and Germany.