Frequently Asked Questions

About Us

MERA stands for Middle East Refugee Aid, a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainable health and humanitarian support for Middle Eastern refugees and underserved communities worldwide.
Our mission is to improve equitable access to medical, dental, and health resources for Middle Eastern refugees while prioritizing health literacy and upholding fundamental human rights.
A: We primarily serve Middle Eastern refugees and underserved communities, both internationally and locally in the U.S. While our roots are in the Middle East, our work has expanded to address inequities in diverse refugee and immigrant populations.
MERA works across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region—including Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Sudan—as well as in North Carolina and other U.S. communities with large immigrant and refugee populations.
Yes! MERA was founded by university students and continues to be youth-led, guided by a board of passionate young leaders and supported by advisors and community partners.

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Our founders and volunteers share linguistic, cultural, and lived experiences with the communities we serve. We co-create initiatives with local leaders and organizations to ensure programs meet real needs in culturally sensitive ways.
MERA is entirely youth-led, community-driven, and research-informed. We combine humanitarian aid with long-term public health solutions, focusing not just on emergency relief but also on empowerment through health literacy and education.
We evaluate each program quite extensively internally. We use impact reports and community feedback to assess outcomes as well as inform our audiences of our impact.
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Donations directly fund our programs, from grocery vouchers and health supplies to educational workshops and health fairs. Every contribution helps us serve refugees and underserved communities more effectively.
Yes. MERA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Absolutely. While general donations allow us the most flexibility, you can choose to direct your gift to a specific initiative if preferred.
Any unused funds are redirected to MERA’s projects at our discretion to ensure they make the most impact. We are committed to transparency and stewardship of every donation.
Yes, we welcome in-kind donations of health supplies, hygiene products, food, and other essentials. Please contact us at info@meranonprofit.org for current needs and donation logistics.

Volunteers are the backbone of MERA. You can get involved locally in North Carolina, support international programs remotely, or join us at community events.
Yes! We offer internships in communications, program development, and research. We also have a MERA student chapter at UNC-Chapel Hill and welcome new chapters at other campuses.
We actively collaborate with nonprofits, mosques, health providers, and community organizations. Reach out to us at info@meranonprofit.org to discuss partnership opportunities.
MERA partners with student groups, community organizations, religious centers, and clubs to host fundraisers, supply drives, and awareness events. If you’d like to collaborate, we’d love to hear from you!

MERA is run by a youth-led executive board and supported by advisors in public health, humanitarian aid, and nonprofit management.
We publish annual reports, maintain active communication with donors, and highlight program outcomes on our website and social media.
We prioritize communities facing systemic barriers to health and resources. Decisions are guided by needs assessments, partnerships with local leaders, and the lived experiences of our board and volunteers.

You can reach us at info@meranonprofit.org or through our Contact Page.
Stay connected with us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and our Blog. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for updates on programs, events, and impact.