Delivering dignity, protection and opportunity to vulnerable communities across Lebanon

For nearly four decades, Amel Association International has stood alongside Lebanon’s most vulnerable communities, delivering humanitarian assistance, promoting human rights and strengthening local resilience.

Throughout 2017, Amel expanded its integrated humanitarian and development programmes across the country, providing healthcare, education, protection, livelihood opportunities and food security services through a nationwide network of community centres and mobile units. Guided by the principles of humanity, equality and solidarity, Amel continued to serve everyone in need—regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion or political affiliation.

Health & Medical Support

Healthcare has always been at the heart of Amel’s mission.

Through 6 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and 7 dispensaries, Amel ensured access to affordable, quality healthcare for vulnerable populations throughout Lebanon.

Services included:

• General medicine
• Paediatric care
• Gynaecology
• Family planning
• Laboratory services
• Vaccination
• X-ray imaging
• Chronic disease management
• Psychological support
• Health awareness and hygiene promotion

Integrated within the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health network, Amel’s healthcare services contributed to strengthening the national health system while ensuring that no one was denied care because of their background or circumstances.

Mobile Medical Units

Many vulnerable communities remain beyond the reach of traditional healthcare facilities.

To bridge this gap, Amel deployed six Mobile Medical Units serving informal settlements, shelters and remote municipalities throughout the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon.

These mobile teams provided:

• Primary healthcare consultations
• Disease surveillance and outbreak prevention
• Health and hygiene awareness
• Social counselling
• Referral to specialized medical services

In 2017, the Mobile Medical Units reached more than 68,000 beneficiaries, bringing lifesaving healthcare directly to communities affected by the Syrian crisis.

Education & Child Protection

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

Throughout 2017, Amel supported vulnerable children through educational and psychosocial programmes designed to improve school retention, learning outcomes and emotional wellbeing.

Activities included:

• Homework support
• Remedial education
• Reading sessions
• Recreational activities
• Psychosocial support
• Parenting skills workshops
• Community awareness sessions

More than 1,350 children participated in educational activities, while child protection programmes benefited over 16,000 children and caregivers.

The Amel Bus: Mobile Education Unit

Children living in informal settlements often face significant barriers to education.

To reach these children, Amel launched its innovative Mobile Education Unit, widely known as the Amel Bus.

Specially equipped with:

• Educational materials
• Digital tablets
• Books
• Recreational equipment
• Movie projection facilities
• A private counselling space

the bus travelled weekly to informal settlements in the Khiam–Marjayoun area.

In 2017, the programme provided educational, psychosocial and recreational support to more than 800 children and laid the groundwork for launching a second Mobile Education Unit in West Bekaa.

Mobile Protection Unit

Protecting children living or working on the streets requires direct community engagement.

Amel’s Mobile Protection Unit operated across Beirut and its suburbs, providing immediate support to children and families experiencing extreme vulnerability.

The multidisciplinary team delivered:

• Medical support
• Social assistance
• Child protection
• Referrals
• Family follow-up
• School reintegration support
• Livelihood referrals for parents

During 2017, the Mobile Protection Unit reached 300 beneficiaries, helping reconnect vulnerable children with education and protection services.

Livelihood & Economic Empowerment

Creating opportunities for young people remains central to Amel’s long-term vision.

Across multiple centres, the organization delivered:

• Vocational training
• Information technology courses
• Language classes
• Life-skills development
• Internships
• Coaching
• Psychosocial support

These initiatives enabled more than 7,000 Lebanese and refugee youth to strengthen their employability and build more resilient futures.

Women’s Empowerment & Rural Development

Women’s empowerment is a cornerstone of Amel’s community development strategy.

Through community-based initiatives, vocational training and economic inclusion programmes, Amel supported women in achieving greater financial independence and social participation.

Key initiatives included:

• Mann Hiya handcrafted products
• Rural soap production in Ebl El Saqi
• Menna Handmade Products
• Menna Catering Group
• Entrepreneurship support
• Skills development
• Advocacy for women’s rights

These initiatives combined livelihood opportunities with advocacy to promote gender equality and economic resilience.

Youth Empowerment & Volunteering

Amel believes young people are powerful agents of social change.

Its youth programmes encouraged leadership, civic engagement and intercultural dialogue through workshops focusing on:

• Peacebuilding
• Human rights
• Equality
• Non-discrimination
• Communication skills
• Countering hate speech
• Volunteer engagement

Working alongside universities, local communities and international partners, Amel continued to cultivate a new generation of socially engaged youth leaders.

Supporting Migrant Domestic Workers

Amel continued implementing one of Lebanon’s most comprehensive support programmes for Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) and Victims of Human Trafficking (VHTs).

The programme combined:

• Legal assistance
• Healthcare
• Psychosocial support
• Skills development
• Advocacy
• Research
• Awareness campaigns
• International cooperation

Highlights from 2017 included:

• 100+ legal cases managed
• 200+ health consultations
• 1,600 participants in empowerment classes
• 630+ participants in psychosocial support and awareness activities

Amel also strengthened collaboration with countries of origin, including Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, while developing practical tools to identify trafficking victims and promote labour rights.

Supporting Older Persons

Amel promoted healthy and active ageing by providing integrated services for older persons.

Activities included:

• Medical consultations
• Chronic disease awareness
• Occupational therapy
• Gardening
• Cooking sessions
• Intergenerational activities
• Community engagement

In 2017, approximately 2,700 elderly beneficiaries participated in these programmes.

Amel House of Human Rights

The Amel House of Human Rights (AHHR), established in partnership with La Sagesse University, continued developing specialized education and training programmes on:

• Human rights
• International Humanitarian Law
• Protection of civilians
• Armed conflict

Each year, AHHR hosts a regional Summer School on the Law of Armed Conflict, welcoming approximately 50 participants from across the Arab region.

Amel International

Amel strengthened its international engagement through partnerships with United Nations agencies, humanitarian organizations and civil society networks.

The organization maintained:

• Consultative Status with ECOSOC
• Observer Status with the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• Membership in major humanitarian networks including ICVA, HAP and G2H2

Amel also expanded its international presence with offices in France, Switzerland and the United States, while launching the 3Ls Initiative (Lebanon–Lampedusa–Lesbos) to promote cooperation on refugee protection and migration.

2017 by the Numbers

Looking Ahead

Amel’s 2017 achievements demonstrate the power of community-based humanitarian action rooted in dignity, inclusion and human rights. By combining emergency assistance with long-term development, education and protection, the organization continued to strengthen resilience among Lebanon’s most vulnerable communities while expanding its regional and international impact.

“Nobody is able to choose their place of birth or their family. No one is given the choice to grow up in a war-torn country, in a place so dangerous that you would rather risk drowning in the Mediterranean than staying in your homeland.”
— Dr. Kamel Mohanna, President of Amel Association International

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