Overview and History

Collateral Repair Project (CRP) was started in 2006 by two American women who saw a need for direct connection between citizens of coalition countries and innocent Iraqis who suffered from the consequences of war.

They set up Collateral Repair Project in Amman, Jordan, where many refugees were relocating during the height of the second Gulf War in Iraq. Much of CRP’s early work was charity-related, but as the organization grew it ran numerous programs focusing on community-building, education, and trauma relief in addition to emergency aid. Activities have greatly expanded over the years. As a result of the war in Syria, CRP started serving Syrian refugees. CRP now serves Jordanians as well as other nationals fleeing violence in their home countries, such as Sudanese, Somali, and Yemeni refugees, as well as assisting Iraqis and Syrians. CRP utilizes a holistic approach, addressing physical needs as well as trauma relief.

Hashemi Shamali has been a refugee hub in Amman for years. Families relocate to this neighborhood and as time passes by, they run out of money and things to sell. Largely unable to work due to Jordanian law, this leaves refugees in a perilous position. It was with this knowledge that Collateral Repair Project opened a Family Resource and Community Center in the Hashemi Shamali neighborhood of Amman and began the Basic-Needs Assistance Program.

In 2013, Amanda Lane became CRP’s Executive Director, after spending years as a volunteer and board member. Under her leadership, CRP’s programming and numbers of families served has increased every year.

Our community center fosters community and dignity in refugee neighborhoods, as well as ensuring that basic food and housing needs are met. CRP provides basic-needs assistance to hundreds of families through in-kind aid, information and referral services, and a monthly food-voucher program that provides eligible households with coupons to purchase fresh produce and groceries. CRP’s Family Resource and Community Center offers many activities and learning opportunities to allow refugees to begin to rebuild the communities they lost after fleeing their home countries.

CRP’s strengths include a wealth of knowledge about the refugee community in East Amman and strong relationships with the beneficiaries we serve. The community center is a place where many refugees spend their days. Because of this, CRP has cultivated strong grassroots support from beneficiaries, many of whom go on to become volunteers, helping to assist their neighbors to access programs and services. CRP also has built relationships with several partner organizations who join us in our mission.

Collateral Repair Project recently opened a second center in Amman, located in Wasat al-Balad. The new center focuses on assisting Sudanese, Somali and Yemeni refugees.

Collateral Repair Project is a 501(c)(3) organization in The United States of America and is registered with Jordan’s Ministry of Social Development.