Refugee Utility Project is an International Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to alleviating the suffering of those displaced by conflict, war, and natural disaster across the globe. We provide flexible and sustainable aid to those in desperate need, and are dedicated to easing the anguish of all; regardless of race, color, religion, or creed.
current projects
Our aim is to help refugees by providing much needed supplies and aid in order to sustain survival for the most vulnerable.
At the moment, the majority of our work is focused on the Syrian Refugee Crisis and its effects in Jordan. The UNHCR estimates that around 80% of Syrian refugees live outside established camps. These displaced persons face increasingly challenging circumstances, being forced to fend for themselves without support. RUP works around the clock in order to identify the most vulnerable in Northern Jordan, particularly within the governorates of Az-Zarqa and Al-Mafraq, and provide emergency relief and more sustainable help.
We have also partnered with Acting for Change International to build the first permanent school in Rukban camp in Syria.
RUP is especially interested in aiding refugees who live in Informal Tented Settlements (ITS), as they are are particularly susceptible to illness and injury due to the environment in which they live .
At the moment, the majority of our work is focused on the Syrian Refugee Crisis and its effects in Jordan. The UNHCR estimates that around 80% of Syrian refugees live outside established camps. These displaced persons face increasingly challenging circumstances, being forced to fend for themselves without support. RUP works around the clock in order to identify the most vulnerable in Northern Jordan, particularly within the governorates of Az-Zarqa and Al-Mafraq, and provide emergency relief and more sustainable help.
We have also partnered with Acting for Change International to build the first permanent school in Rukban camp in Syria.
RUP is especially interested in aiding refugees who live in Informal Tented Settlements (ITS), as they are are particularly susceptible to illness and injury due to the environment in which they live .
MANAGEMENT TEAM
scott mehanCo-founder & President
Kotaiba alabdullahDirector of Operations
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zachary macbethCo-founder & Treasurer
Emma tveitHead of Communications and Research
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Mahmood abd alkareem mosa
Refugee Liaison
our history
In February 2015, Zachary Macbeth visited his friend Scott Mehan in Bethlehem, who was studying International Cooperation and Development at Bethlehem University. With Zach's background in law and Scott's regional expertise as their guiding principles, they decided that they wanted to play a positive part in the international refugee crisis. In August 2015 after Scott's graduation, the two friends established Refugee Utility Project as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in California.
Scott moved to Zarqa in Jordan, one of the poorest cities in the country, to lay the ground for their humanitarian work. Throughout 2016, RUP focused on emergency aid for Syrian and Iraqi refugees living in urban settings outside refugee camps. As we enter 2018, we have been fortunate enough to partner with some great organizations here in Jordan to expand our work into the educational sector in our Zaatari village and Dara'a community centers, informal tented settlements in the Mafraq governorate, as well as in Rukban camp in Syria.
Scott moved to Zarqa in Jordan, one of the poorest cities in the country, to lay the ground for their humanitarian work. Throughout 2016, RUP focused on emergency aid for Syrian and Iraqi refugees living in urban settings outside refugee camps. As we enter 2018, we have been fortunate enough to partner with some great organizations here in Jordan to expand our work into the educational sector in our Zaatari village and Dara'a community centers, informal tented settlements in the Mafraq governorate, as well as in Rukban camp in Syria.
