Strengthening Communities Through Humanitarian Action and Human Rights

The 2012 Annual Report documents a pivotal year in the evolution of Amel Association International. While continuing its long-standing programmes in health, education, livelihoods and human rights, the organization launched its first large-scale humanitarian response to the Syrian refugee crisis, marking the beginning of what would become one of Lebanon’s most significant civil society responses to displacement. The report also reflects Amel’s 33-year commitment to social justice, community resilience and non-sectarian humanitarian action.

About Amel Association International

Established in 1979 by Dr. Kamel Mohanna alongside physicians, intellectuals and journalists following the 1978 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, Amel was created to address the needs of marginalized communities through independent humanitarian action.

By 2012, the organization had grown into one of Lebanon’s leading non-governmental organizations, operating:

• 24 development and health centres across Lebanon
• 23 humanitarian and development projects
• More than 170 employees
• 100 volunteers
• One mobile clinic serving remote communities
• More than 25,600 free healthcare services delivered during the year

Since 2010, Amel has also maintained an international office in Geneva, strengthening its engagement with global humanitarian and human rights institutions while promoting a Lebanese perspective on international solidarity. The organization continued to operate according to its guiding philosophy: “Principles defining a Position that are put into Practice” (3Ps) and its enduring motto, “Positive Thinking and Permanent Optimism.”

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Mission and Values

Amel’s work is grounded in the promotion of:

• Social, economic, civil and cultural rights;
• Equal opportunities for all;
• Democratic values and social cohesion;
• Human rights advocacy;
• Quality healthcare and development services;
• Sustainable peace through strong civil society.

The report reiterates that humanitarian assistance must be provided regardless of political affiliation, nationality or religion, reflecting Amel’s longstanding commitment to impartiality and solidarity.

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Expanding Access to Primary Healthcare

Primary healthcare remained the cornerstone of Amel’s activities.

Through health centres located in Beirut, South Lebanon and the Bekaa, the organization provided comprehensive medical services including:

• General medicine
• Paediatrics
• Gynaecology
• Pharmacy services
• Laboratory testing
• Physiotherapy
• Dental care
• Radiology
• Ultrasound examinations
• Referrals to specialist physicians

The report also highlights preventive healthcare through vaccination campaigns, health education and awareness sessions delivered in cooperation with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health and local institutions.

To reach underserved populations, Amel operated two mobile medical clinics, each serving ten villages and informal settlements across the Bekaa Valley.

Women’s Health Initiative

With support from the French Embassy, Amel strengthened healthcare services in Tyre, Bazourieh and Khiam, including:

• Upgrading medical equipment;
• Conducting awareness sessions for 3,100 women;
• Providing comprehensive maternal and reproductive healthcare for more than 600 women;
• Implementing child vaccination campaigns.

The report emphasizes that access to primary healthcare has been central to Amel’s mission since its establishment.

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Education: Investing in Children’s Futures

Education remained one of Amel’s flagship programmes.

Recognizing education as a fundamental human right, the organization provided:

• Remedial classes in Arabic, English and mathematics;
• Educational counselling;
• Health and hygiene awareness;
• Child rights education;
• Family engagement sessions.

During 2012:

• More than 500 children from Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi and Sudanese communities benefited from educational support.

As displacement from Syria increased, Amel also launched one of Lebanon’s earliest Back-to-School campaigns for Syrian refugee children, providing:

• School fee assistance;
• School supplies;
• Clothing vouchers.

The programme reflected Amel’s conviction that education offers children protection, stability and hope during times of crisis.

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Child Protection Through Holistic Care

Amel expanded child protection programmes to address the growing vulnerabilities faced by refugee and marginalized children.

Activities combined:

• Recreational programmes;
• Art therapy;
• Drama;
• Music;
• Drawing and handicrafts;
• Psychosocial support;
• Parenting sessions;
• Individual counselling;
• Awareness on health, education and children’s rights.

The report shares the story of a young Syrian refugee girl who, after joining Amel’s Child Protection programme, left child labour in a textile factory and returned to an environment focused on learning, friendship and psychosocial recovery.

This holistic approach sought not only to protect children but also to strengthen family resilience and supportive community environments.

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Empowering Youth

Youth engagement remained central to Amel’s vision of social change.

Throughout 2012, the organization:

• Participated in university NGO fairs to promote volunteerism;
• Expanded international youth exchanges through Euro-Mediterranean programmes;
• Organized environmental campaigns such as “Amel Goes Green”;
• Hosted cultural, educational and recreational activities.

In Haret Hreik alone, 203 Lebanese and refugee youth participated in:

• English and Arabic classes;
• Computer training;
• Sports;
• Cultural competitions;
• Film clubs;
• Recycling initiatives.

Environmental awareness also featured prominently through activities marking World Environment Day and the International Day of Forests, alongside a public screening of the documentary One Day on Earth.

Building Livelihoods and Economic Resilience

Livelihood programmes focused on improving employability and economic independence, particularly for women and young refugees.

Training opportunities included:

• Languages;
• Information technology;
• Hairdressing;
• Mechanics;
• Sewing;
• Handicrafts;
• Mobile phone maintenance;
• Computer repair.

A major initiative remained the Mann Hiya Cooperative, where refugee women produced jewellery, accessories and handicrafts while benefiting from language classes, psychosocial support and educational activities.

One featured vocational programme provided 16-session mobile phone maintenance training, combining hardware and software repair skills to improve employment prospects for young participants.

Rural Development and Women’s Economic Empowerment

In South Lebanon, the Ebl El-Saqi Cooperative continued promoting rural livelihoods through soap production and the processing of medicinal herbs and essential oils.

Supported by the European Commission and international partners, the initiative aimed to increase women’s economic participation while strengthening local agricultural value chains.

By 2012:

• 320 women had worked through the cooperative since its creation;
• 280 women and farmers were active beneficiaries;
• More than 500 farmers supplied olive oil for soap production.

The programme aligned with the Millennium Development Goals by linking women’s empowerment with sustainable development and human rights.

Defending the Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers

The report highlights Amel’s growing work with Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs), a programme launched in 2011 to address exploitation under Lebanon’s kafala sponsorship system.

Services included:

• English classes;
• Capacity-building workshops;
• Psychological support;
• Legal assistance;
• Human rights awareness;
• Dedicated hotline services.

During 2012:

• 1,224 migrant domestic workers benefited from Amel’s programmes;
• 15 empowerment sessions were delivered;
• 12 drama therapy and awareness sessions were conducted.

Amel also joined a national NGO consortium behind the Fi Shi Ghalat campaign advocating reform of the kafala system and greater protection of migrant workers’ rights.

Human Rights Education

Through the Amel House of Human Rights (AHHR), the organization continued expanding legal education and advocacy.

Its principal activities included:

• Summer School on Law and Armed Conflict;
• Workshops on International Humanitarian Law;
• Training on Palestinian refugee rights;
• Video Advocacy Action (VAA);
• Rightscast.net, a platform for human rights video advocacy.

The report presents testimonials from trainees describing AHHR as an important space for learning, advocacy and leadership development, while reaffirming Amel’s commitment to promoting international law, human rights education and regional dialogue.

Responding to the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Perhaps the defining feature of 2012 was Amel’s rapid mobilization following the arrival of Syrian refugees into Lebanon.

Beginning in April 2012, the organization launched an emergency humanitarian response as refugee numbers climbed to 129,106 registered refugees by the end of the year.

Support included:

• Primary healthcare;
• Educational assistance;
• Child protection;
• Vocational training;
• Food assistance;
• Hygiene kits;
• Baby kits;
• Household items;
• Kitchen supplies;
• Clothing vouchers.

By year’s end:

• 277 Syrian refugee families, representing more than 1,830 individuals, had received emergency relief packages and vouchers.

The report acknowledges that integrating refugee populations placed significant pressure on Amel’s infrastructure and staff, yet emphasizes the organization’s determination to respond to growing humanitarian needs while maintaining services for vulnerable Lebanese communities.

A Year of Transition and Preparedness

The 2012 Annual Report captures Amel at a historic turning point. While consolidating decades of work in health, education, livelihoods and human rights, the organization simultaneously began responding to what would become one of the largest refugee crises in modern Middle Eastern history.

More than a record of programmes and statistics, the report reflects Amel’s belief that humanitarian action must be rooted in dignity, solidarity and rights. By combining emergency relief with long-term development, community empowerment and advocacy, Amel laid the foundations for the expanded humanitarian response that would define its work throughout the years that followed.