Refugee Protection International at a Glance
Restoring dignity in urban displacement with community-led partners
- RPI on Belmont Journal TV, NBC10 Boston (mobile app), Ukrainian regional state media, WBZ-TV CBS, GBH Boston & NewsNation’s Morning in America show
- RPI Ukraine Relief Flyer [PNG]
- Donate for Gaza aid on GoFundMe
- Shop Refugee-Made Gifts with RPI & Partners Flyer [PNG]
- Turkey-Syria Earthquake (1) medical, (2) shelter, (3) relief & livelihoods support
Refugee Protection International offers a scalable, community-led model of frontline aid. Our mission is to partner with local NGOs and duty bearers to strengthen protection and self-reliance among urban refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) near conflict zones.
RPI and community-led partners respond to some of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises, including the ongoing wars in Gaza-Israel, Ukraine and Syria, and the Turkey-Syria earthquakes.
Founded in late 2015, Refugee Protection International prioritizes swift, community-led relief efforts co-designed or launched with RPI’s support. RPI staff and volunteers also do cross-border relief deliveries to hotspots, including Ukraine’s frontlines, and bring refugee-made crafts from female trainees to the US market to support women’s self-reliance with community-led training partners in the Middle East and Ukraine. Efforts have assisted half a million refugees, IDPs, and locals in Ukraine, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and 75,000 women and children in Gaza. RPI may also support mental health providers for victims on both sides of this devastating war, including survivors of the Hamas attacks on October 7th, 2023.
By collaborating with inspiring refugee-led and community partners, we aspire toward a more equitable and efficient model of international relief work. It is our vision that refugees have the opportunity to lead humanitarian efforts on the ground, better access external funding, and more effectively meet their community’s self-reliance needs. RPI is honored to serve as a partner and grateful to its giving partners.
We will respond to additional crises in the world, prioritizing women and children in hard-to-reach areas and urban neighborhoods, where community partners are often best placed to identify and serve those in need. RPI staff and volunteers will continue direct cross-border aid efforts when and where needed, building on our work in Ukraine.
RPI is a nonprofit organization with U.S. tax-exempt 501(c)3 public charity status. In our pursuit of local relief capacity and aid efficiency, we rely on a nimble footprint and rigorous approach to collaboration and due diligence.
RPI is committed to the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, humanity, and independence. We strive for ethical conduct, accountability, and transparency. As an independent humanitarian organization, we do not impose political or religious views on our local partners and participating beneficiaries. Nor do we discriminate based on religion, race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disabilities, or marital status.
Housing Conditions
Providing refugees and IDPs with shelter upgrades, access to affordable rent, alternative fuel, and flood relief. Read more →
Protection and Self-Reliance
Helping refugees to access work permits and the documents needed to enjoy public education and health care. Equipping refugee women with vocational training, language skills, and job search support, while providing children with psychosocial support. Read more →
Education and Health
Providing regulated non-formal primary education and meeting urgent medical needs among refugees and IDPs. Read more →