ASSAF (Hebrew acronym for “Organization for Aiding Refugees”) is an Israel non-profit organization that was founded by Yiftach Millo, an MA graduate of Development Studies who worked for ten years with refugees and internally displaced persons in Africa through Oxfam, UNICEF, HIAS, and other international organizations. Upon his return to Israel, Yiftach recognized the real need to establish an operational presence that would combine humanitarian and psychosocial responses to the relatively new influx of refugees from Africa. Following intensive groundwork, he established ASSAF in his home in February 2007. Through the provision of humanitarian and psychosocial services, ASSAF gradually became known as the central source of support for the emerging refugee community.

ASSAF’s activities were initially characterized by emergency ‘life’ support and psychosocial care for the rapidly growing number of crisis cases. Through a range of programs, ASSAF now provides both punctual and long-term support and runs programs which protect and strengthen the underprivileged and largely misunderstood African refugee community in Israel. ASSAF simultaneously works to improve the treatment and response towards African refugees, especially in light of Israel’s role as initiator and signatory of the 1951 United Nations’ Refugee Convention.