Help Refugees and Vulnerable Communities in Jordan

Refugees and Vulnerable Communities in Jordan Face a Growing Healthcare Crisis

Jordan is under immense humanitarian pressure, hosting one of the largest refugee populations in the world — and the strain extends to the Jordanian communities living alongside them.

Jordan is home to millions of refugees, including around 1.3–1.4 million Syrians and over 2 million Palestinian refugees
Most refugees live outside camps, where access to healthcare and basic services is limited
Healthcare is out of reach for many, even when subsidised options exist — for refugees and low-income Jordanians alike
Trauma, displacement, and prolonged instability have created critical mental health needs across communities
Specialised and long-term medical care remains inaccessible for thousands of families
Without humanitarian support, treatable illnesses can quickly become life-threatening

The crisis continues — and healthcare remains one of Jordan's most urgent needs.

How SAMS Helps in Jordan

SAMS has been operating in Jordan since 2015, delivering free, high-quality medical care to the most vulnerable communities, including palestine refugees in Jordan and syrian refugees in Jordan, who often cannot afford essential treatment.

Our Strategy in Jordan:

Measure and improve — We continuously evaluate our impact and invest in staff development to ensure every programme delivers real, lasting results
Stay needs-led — We assess healthcare gaps on an ongoing basis and adapt our approach using cost-effective, innovative solutions
Build local capacity — We train, mentor, and consult local medical professionals to address chronic gaps and reduce dependency on external aid
Drive change through knowledge — We contribute to research and medical education, shaping decisions and developing better solutions for humanitarian and recovery contexts

Here's how that strategy comes to life on the ground:

Our Impact in Jordan

SAMS Programmes Supported by Your Donations in Jordan

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

SAMS provides mental health and psychosocial support to refugees and vulnerable community members through direct care, outreach, and training.

Since 2019, over 41,000 people have received MHPSS support.

Individual therapy and medication management for conditions including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and relationship challenges
Group support for PTSD, anxiety, and family stress
Family assessments and referrals to medical and social assistance
Training for local mental health workers, frontline staff, and social work students

Helping Hand Program

Launched in September 2022, the Helping Hand programme supports adolescents aged 12–17 through three-month cycles combining digital learning and evidence-based cognitive behavioural techniques — reducing anxiety and building resilience.

Parenting Skills sessions run alongside the programme, helping caregivers strengthen communication and build stronger connections with their children. A new caregiver curriculum is being piloted in 2025.

Zaatari Medical Center

Since 2017, SAMS has operated the Zaatari Medical Centre inside Za'atari Camp, delivering essential healthcare to camp residents.

Primary healthcare, dental, and ophthalmology services
Laboratory services and immunisations
Mental health care and medical mission support
Vaccinations provided five days a week by licensed staff, in coordination with UNHCR and the Ministry of Health

Support for Patients with Chronic and Complex Conditions

SAMS helps people in Jordan living with chronic and life-threatening conditions access essential, ongoing care they cannot afford.

Diabetes management for children and young people, including medical supplies, monitoring, and health education
Kidney transplant medication and follow-up care, reducing mortality among transplant patients
Cochlear implant programme, providing hearing restoration and speech therapy for children with profound hearing loss
Retina programme for diabetic patients at risk of vision loss, offering periodic examinations and treatments including injections and laser therapy

Rehabilitation Services in Ministry of Health Clinics

SAMS supports Ministry of Health clinics in Wadi Elsier and Al-Hashmi Al-Shamali with specialist rehabilitation services.

Medical Missions in Jordan

Since 2015, SAMS has conducted 32 medical missions in Jordan, bringing together Syrian, Jordanian, American, and international volunteer healthcare professionals.

Life-saving surgical interventions targeting critical cases
Secondary and dental consultations across specialties determined by unmet need
Capacity building and peer-to-peer training for the local health workforce
Health promotion, disease prevention, and early risk screening

Recent Medical Missions in Jordan

Partnerships in Jordan

Real Stories of Hope in Jordan

Behind every programme SAMS delivers in Jordan are real people whose lives have been transformed through access to care. These stories show how timely, compassionate healthcare changes lives.

Reham’s Story: Stability Through Support

Reham, a 13-year-old girl living in Za’atari Camp, attends school regularly and excels in her studies, dreaming of one day becoming a doctor. But managing her type 1 diabetes without a glucometer made daily life dangerous—she often experienced diabetic comas at school or home due to inaccurate insulin doses. 

After learning about SAMS’s partnership with Life for a Child (LFAC), Reham visited the SAMS Medical Center in November 2024. She received a glucometer, test strips, lancets, and hands-on training for diabetes management. Since then, her condition has stabilized, her attendance has improved, and her confidence has grown. With ongoing follow-up from SAMS, Reham’s health and well-being continue to improve.

A Life Saved at the Right Time

A 7-year-old girl in Za’atari Camp arrived at the SAMS Medical Center with persistent abdominal pain, appetite loss, and repeated school absences. Her prior medical tests had shown no clear cause. During her exam, the SAMS doctor noted an acetone odor and tested her blood sugar—revealing a critically high level of 459 mg/dL.

Emergency coordination ensured she was transferred to a hospital outside the camp for one week of care. After recovery, she returned to the SAMS Medical Center to thank the staff. A follow-up plan was established with her mother, including regular monitoring and education on diabetes management. She now attends school regularly and has resumed a healthy daily routine.

FAQs

1. Why does SAMS operate in Jordan?

Jordan hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the region, placing sustained pressure on healthcare for everyone — including Jordanian host communities. SAMS works in Jordan to ensure refugees and vulnerable communities receive essential, dignified medical care when public systems are overstretched.

2. What medical services does SAMS provide in Jordan?

SAMS delivers primary and secondary healthcare, dental care, mental health and psychosocial support, physical rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and surgical missions — serving refugees and vulnerable members of the local community.

3. Who does SAMS serve in Jordan?

SAMS serves refugees, vulnerable Jordanians, women, children, elderly patients, and individuals with chronic illnesses who face financial or systemic barriers to care. Services are provided based on medical need, without discrimination.

4. How is my donation used in Jordan?

Your donation funds medical consultations, medications, diagnostics, healthcare staff, and clinic operations in Jordan. Approximately 96 cents of every dollar goes directly to medical programs, ensuring efficient and responsible use of funds.

5. Is SAMS a recognised organization to donate to?

Yes. SAMS is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with more than 25 years of experience delivering medical humanitarian aid. We are recognized for transparency and accountability, publish audited financial reports, and adhere to strict safeguarding and ethical standards. You can find out more here Financial Transparency

6. What happens after I make a donation?

You'll receive an immediate confirmation and tax receipt. SAMS also shares regular updates, impact reports, and patient stories so you can see how your support is improving access to healthcare in Jordan.