Restart Center

What Restart Center does

Restart Center is a Lebanon-based nonprofit organization founded in 1996 that delivers psychosocial rehabilitation and human rights protection services for survivors of torture, victims of violence, displaced populations, and persons in detention. Operating across two physical offices in Tripoli (North Lebanon) and Furn El-Chebbak (Beirut Mount Lebanon), the organization runs center-based services, community-based psychosocial support, detention-based programs, humanitarian emergency response, care for caregivers, a forensic documentation unit, an advocacy and lobbying program, capacity-building training, and a dispensary. In 2024, Restart Center reported 14 ongoing projects, 7,327 beneficiaries served, and a combined staff and volunteer base of approximately 200 individuals.

The organization's core technology is its trauma-informed care methodology applied through four delivery modalities (center-based, community-based, detention-based, and humanitarian emergency response). Its proprietary capability lies in forensic evaluations and torture documentation supporting legal redress. Business operations are funded entirely through donations and grants, including individual contributions in Lebanese Pounds, USD, and via the WHISH platform, as well as institutional support from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA, 2016-2023) and humanitarian partnerships with IOM and INTERSOS. The 2024 Annual Budget was $4,994,498.

Restart Center's go-to-market is community-led: it acquires beneficiaries through referrals from humanitarian actors, advocacy networks, and direct outreach, rather than commercial sales. The organization maintains convening power across the MENA region through annual Regional Forums on redress and rehabilitation for torture survivors, and engages international human rights mechanisms including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. CEO Suzanne Jabbour also serves as a member and former Chair of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, anchoring the organization's regulatory and reputational standing.

Name

Restart Center

Legal name

Restart Center

Website

https://restartcenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Restart Center is a Lebanon-based nonprofit founded in 1996 that delivers psychosocial rehabilitation, forensic documentation, and advocacy services for torture survivors, displaced populations, and persons in detention across the MENA region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trauma Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN), Early Recovery & Rapid Rehabilitation (Debris Removal, Repairs, Livelihood Restart) (BPADADAJ)

Keywords

• Torture rehabilitation services
• Psychosocial support services
• Humanitarian mental health
• Trauma survivor care
• Human rights advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Tripoli, North Lebanon

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Restart Center operates as a nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals and institutional donors. The organization accepts donations in Lebanese Pounds (LBP), USD, and via the WHISH platform, with bank accounts at Byblos Bank S.A.L. in Tripoli, Lebanon.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Restart Center is a Lebanese nonprofit that provides rehabilitation and mental health psychosocial support (MHPSS) services for survivors of torture, violence, and conflict. Its core offerings include center-based rehabilitation, community-based psychosocial support, detention-based services, humanitarian emergency response, a forensic documentation unit, caregiver support, advocacy and lobbying, and capacity-building programs, all delivered free of charge to beneficiaries across Lebanon and the MENA region.

Product overview

Restart Center offers a comprehensive portfolio of rehabilitation and support services for survivors of torture and trauma in Lebanon. The organization provides center-based and community-based psychosocial support, detention-based services, humanitarian emergency response, and specialized care for caregivers. Core programs include advocacy and lobbying for human rights, capacity building for professionals, and a forensic unit for torture documentation. The organization operates across two main locations (North Lebanon in Tripoli and Beirut Mount Lebanon in Furn El-Chebbak) and serves beneficiaries through multiple service delivery modalities including direct rehabilitation, advocacy, and capacity building programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Center-based Rehabilitation Services Rehabilitation services delivered at Restart Center's physical offices in Tripoli and Furn El-Chebbak for survivors of torture and trauma, including mental health and psychosocial support.
• Community-based Psychosocial Support Mental health and psychosocial support services delivered within community settings for displaced families and trauma survivors across Lebanon.
• Detention-based Services Specialized rehabilitation and support services for individuals in detention facilities and other places of deprivation of liberty in Lebanon, including forensic evaluations and legal support.
• Humanitarian Emergency Response Crisis intervention and support services for populations affected by humanitarian emergencies and conflicts, delivered in coordination with partners such as IOM and INTERSOS.
• Care for Caregivers Support services and mental health resources for caregivers and family members of trauma survivors, addressing secondary traumatic stress and burnout.
• Forensic Unit Forensic evaluation and documentation of torture and ill-treatment to support legal redress and survivor advocacy.
• Advocacy and Lobbying Human rights advocacy and policy lobbying aimed at preventing torture and protecting victims' rights at national and international levels, including engagement with UN mechanisms.
• Capacity Building Training and institutional development programs for professionals working with torture survivors and in detention contexts across the MENA region.
• Dispensary Medical and pharmaceutical services supporting the health needs of Restart Center's beneficiaries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7,327 beneficiaries served in 2024
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IOM (International Organization for Migration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestart Center collaborates with IOM on migration and displacement-related services, including capacity building and psychosocial support for affected populations.
• INTERSOScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with INTERSOS for delivering humanitarian assistance and protection services to crisis-affected populations in Lebanon.
• Beirut Bar AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with the Beirut Bar Association on legal awareness, rights education, and advocacy for torture survivors and persons in detention.
• CETA (Center for the Enforcement of Torture Claims / Centro de Estudios de la Tortura y los Derechos Humanos)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner organization engaged in torture prevention, capacity building, and awareness sessions on torture and human rights.
• BINA' (Building Institutional and Networking Awareness)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapacity building and institutional awareness partnership focused on torture prevention and rehabilitation in the MENA region.
• Journalists Against Torture NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork of journalists engaged in raising awareness and reporting on torture and human rights issues, contributing to media advocacy and public awareness campaigns.
• United Nations Mechanisms (UPR, Special Rapporteur)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestart Center engages with UN human rights mechanisms including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and Special Rapporteur on Torture, participating in Geneva missions and advocacy at international levels.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Global humanitarian organization with detention-related programs and victim assistance; comparable to Restart Center on detention monitoring, but operates at vastly larger scale across many countries.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): Large-scale international humanitarian medical organization delivering MHPSS and emergency care in Lebanon and across the MENA region; broader portfolio but overlaps in community psychosocial support and humanitarian emergency response.

Others

• International Organization for Migration (IOM): UN migration agency that partners with Restart Center on displacement-related psychosocial support; adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but shares the Lebanon-based MHPSS delivery space.
• INTERSOS: Italy-based humanitarian NGO operating in Lebanon as a Restart Center partner; adjacent rather than competing, with overlapping MHPSS and protection programming for crisis-affected populations.

Emerging players

• Physicians for Human Rights: International organization using medical and scientific expertise to document torture and mass atrocities; overlaps with Restart Center's forensic unit and advocacy work but with a documentation rather than service-delivery focus.

Direct peers

• Center for Victims of Torture (CVT): US-headquartered nonprofit delivering direct rehabilitation, mental health, and forensic evaluation services to torture survivors — the closest international counterpart to Restart Center's center-based, community-based, and forensic programs.
• Redress Trust: UK-based NGO focused on torture survivor rehabilitation, legal redress, and advocacy; comparable to Restart Center in combining MHPSS service delivery with strategic litigation and international advocacy.
• International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT): Global network of torture rehabilitation centers headquartered in Denmark; Restart Center is a member organization within this network, sharing its clinical and advocacy model for torture survivors worldwide.
• AMAN Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture: Lebanon-based peer organization delivering psychosocial support, medical care, and legal assistance to torture survivors; directly competes in the same niche and geography as Restart Center.

Regional players

• ABAAD Resource Center for Gender Equality: Beirut-based Lebanese NGO focused on gender-based violence, psychosocial support, and advocacy; shares the Lebanon-based community MHPSS delivery model and donor ecosystem with Restart Center.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/RESTARTCENTER
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@restartcenter1996
• Facebookfacebook.com/restartcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/restartcenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Restart Center