ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid) addresses the development and humanitarian needs of Palestinians and marginalized communities in Palestine and Lebanon. Established in 1968 after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, ANERA began as a small group of Americans providing immediate aid to conflict victims. Now one of the largest American non-profits solely focused on the Middle East, ANERA is non-political, non-religious, and headquartered in Washington, DC, with regional offices in Beirut, Jerusalem, Nablus, Ramallah, Hebron, and Gaza, staffed by 150 local professionals.

With a $67 million operating budget, ANERA has sent over $558 million in medical and relief supplies and invested more than $400 million in development projects. It collaborates with local institutions to foster self-sufficiency and plans projects in consultation with communities to ensure long-term impact and relevance.

In response to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, ANERA expanded its efforts in 2013 to include Syrian refugees, providing non-formal education in English, Arabic, and math, as well as skills-based and sports programs offering psychosocial support to youth affected by trauma. ANERA’s 50 years of work have supported health, education, and community development for Palestinians and refugees, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable and responsive aid across the region.