Dignity and justice for all
Positive Thinking & Permanent Optimism
Amel is a non-governmental and non-sectarian Association, created in 1979 by Dr. Kamel Mohanna and a group of
doctors, journalists & activists in response to the atrocities of the Lebanese civil war and the Israeli aggression in
southern Lebanon. Amel works through 30 centers, 6 mobile medical units, 2 mobile education units and 1 protection unit for more than 4 decades in the most marginalized regions of Lebanon, from Beirut and its Southern Suburbs to Mount
Lebanon, Bekaa and South Lebanon. Led by 1200 workers and volunteers, Amel is offering dignified and accessible
programs for all in the following fields: Health, psychosocial support, professional training, women empowerment,
rural development, support to migrants, protection, and human rights. Amel is currently operating through 15 main programs designed to provide dignified access to basic Human Rights for all and to respond to the most vital needs of marginalized communities across Lebanon, and worldwide.
Establishment phase 1979 - 1990: The mission of the non-sectarian civil association Amel in this era focused on saving lives,
providing emergency services and solidarity with all individuals during the civil war, regardless of their affiliation. This was in
parallel with the establishment of development and empowerment programs for women and youth, in addition to campaigning for social peace, ending the civil war, and protecting social cohesion.
Development phase: This era was marked by the expansion of Amel and empowerment programs to larger segments, more regions and specializations, to contribute to rural development at all levels, while launching social initiatives to consolidate the concept of citizenship, advocate for a new positive culture in society, and consolidate the role of civil society in supporting public policies.
International Growth: At this stage, Amel accomplished recognition of its efforts and its contribution to advocate for the fair human causes in important international platforms, representing Lebanese civil society within international forums. It began to expand its global activities and partnerships under the slogan "Partners not Guardians"
The Humanitarian Resistance Leadership Phase: Amel Launched a global humanitarian solidarity movement (The Euro- Mediterranean Movement of Solidarity with Persons in Exile), in conjunction with the transfer of its experience to the world and developed countries, establishing branches in Europe and the United States. This era is also marked by Amel’s contribution with its partners in responding to the refugee crisis in Lebanon, which led to Amel’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of these efforts.
Amel Association International mission is ensuring Dignity for all and contributing to building a more Just and Humane world.
Objectives:
• Promoting social, economic, civil, and cultural rights for the unprivileged in Lebanon and globally.
• Contributing to building a strong civil society in order to strengthen national unity and to promote democratic and
just values.
• Assisting and providing quality services for everyone (Health access, rural development, training…) in the most
marginalized areas of Lebanon and inside ITSs.
• Promoting equal rights and equal opportunities.
Amel Association International believes that Human Rights and Dignity must be ensured and protected for each
human being regardless of religious, ethnic, nationalities, economic, political and ideological differences.
Amel, through its humanitarian work, empowers people to strengthen civil society and generate the conditions for a
frictionless and appeased social environment in Lebanon and worldwide. Its outlook focuses on rejecting the double
standards applied by the West on the Global South, and promoting a fair distribution of wealth nationally and
globally. It seeks to defend the just causes of oppressed people across the world, particularly the plight of the
Palestinian people and other marginalised groups who do not have the basic conditions ensuring their freedom.
The humanitarian programs implemented by Amel, throughout its centers and mobile units, are designed to provide
dignified access to basic Human Rights for all and to respond to the most vital needs of marginalized communities
across Lebanon, and worldwide.
A local NGO who become International
As part of Amel Association International strategy, to bridge the gap between the South and the North, and to disseminate Amel’s innovative models, the NGO decided during the last decade to strengthen its presence at the international level. This strategy is being implemented through different actions including the opening of branches in other countries. Over the past 10 years, Amel was registered in Geneva France and Belgium. Amel Association International (USA) followed the same path in 2019. In the upcoming months, Amel is planning to open new branches in Ivory Coast, Italy and in Gaza and, in the upcoming years, in other countries around the world.
Slogan
Dignity and justice for all
Vision
To promote for a committed humanitarian action and international solidarity.
Mission
Amel Association International mission is ensuring Dignity for all and contributing to building a more Just and Humane world.
Values
Empowering the principles of human rights, citizenship, democratic and social justice.
Philosophy
Principles defining a position that we put into practice (3P).
Areas of expertise
Rural development and vocational training fields, Amel’s interventions involve the entire residents regardless of religious affiliation or political beliefs. Amel offers quality services in health, psychosocial, human rights, child protection, supports migrant domestic workers and victims of trafficking.
