Mohanna: International law must protect the rights of peoples and must not remain silent in the face of violations
The French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, visited the Amel Association International Primary Health Care Centre in the Tyre district, accompanied by a delegation from the French Embassy, the French Development Agency (AFD), and representatives of Première Urgence Internationale (PUI). The visit reaffirmed the depth of the French-Lebanese partnership in supporting the health sector and strengthening the resilience of local communities, while reviewing the impact of the SAQIRH project, which aims to enhance access to a high-quality, inclusive, and resilient health system.
Joining the visit were Ambassador Khalil Karam, representing the Lebanese Légion d’Honneur Association, and former Minister Maurice Sehnaoui, a member of the Association’s Board. The delegation was welcomed by Dr. Kamel Mohanna, President of Amel Association International; Dr. Ahmad Abboud, Executive Director; Dr. Zeina Mohanna, Board Member and Director of Programmes; Dr. Darwish Shoghri, Board Member; Mr. Mortada Mohanna, representing the Disaster Management Unit; representatives of local authorities; and members of Amel’s programme management team, the health centre staff, and the mobile medical clinic.
The visit was not merely to a health facility, but to a space that reflects more than four decades of commitment to humanity. Since its establishment in 1984, during the Lebanese civil war, the Amel Centre in Tyre has served as a lifeline for tens of thousands of people across the region. It has accompanied communities through some of their most difficult moments—from occupation and repeated military attacks to successive wars, culminating in the most recent aggression against southern Lebanon. Throughout these decades, the centre has never ceased fulfilling its mission, remaining present wherever needs were greatest, guided by the conviction that health care is a fundamental right and that human dignity knows no borders or distinctions.
During the latest escalation, the centre was forced to suspend its operations temporarily following evacuation orders and after sustaining partial damage. Yet its humanitarian mission did not stop. Amel’s teams continued delivering health and humanitarian services throughout surrounding communities, travelling between villages and displacement centres, refusing to abandon people during their most difficult moments. As soon as the ceasefire entered into force, the Association immediately began rehabilitating the facility, enabling it to reopen and fully resume its services—demonstrating Amel’s unwavering commitment to standing by people, regardless of the circumstances.
As part of the Ministry of Public Health’s primary health care network, and with support from the French Government and the French Development Agency (AFD), the centre is one of the region’s key reference facilities. It provides comprehensive primary health care services, specialised medical consultations, laboratory testing, mental health support, protection services, gender-based violence prevention, and community awareness activities. It also operates a mobile medical clinic serving villages throughout the Tyre district and remote communities, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are reached. The centre delivers approximately 1,000 medical consultations each month, while the mobile clinic provides more than 1,100 additional consultations, reflecting Amel’s commitment to bringing services directly to those who need them most.
During the visit, the delegation received a briefing on the impact of the recent war on southern Lebanon’s population and health infrastructure, as well as on the centre’s role within the emergency response. The Ministry of Public Health designated the facility as an emergency reference primary health care centre, and together with Amel’s medical teams, it played a critical role in ensuring the continuity of health services for both residents and displaced people despite ongoing risks and attacks.
Ambassador Magro reaffirmed that France stands alongside Lebanon and its people during this critical period and reiterated France’s commitment to supporting the right of all people to access fundamental rights, foremost among them health care. He also expressed his appreciation for the work carried out by Amel Association International and its local partners in protecting the most vulnerable communities, paying tribute to the dedication of its teams, who continued their work despite the extraordinary challenges faced in southern Lebanon.
For his part, Dr. Kamel Mohanna stressed that rebuilding infrastructure cannot be complete without restoring respect for human dignity and international law. He emphasized that genuine recovery begins with ending the Israeli occupation and its continued attacks, enabling the people of southern Lebanon to return safely to their villages, and guaranteeing their right to live in dignity and security on their own land.
He stated:
“The people of southern Lebanon, just like the staff of Amel Association, have demonstrated that human beings can overcome fear when they are driven by a mission. What we need today is not only the reconstruction of buildings, but also the restoration of confidence in international justice and the recovery of the true meaning of international law, which should protect peoples rather than remain silent in the face of violations of their rights.”
Dr. Mohanna added that since its establishment in 1979, Amel Association has been guided by the conviction that solidarity is not charity but a partnership with people in defending their rights and dignity. Genuine development, he said, cannot be imposed from above but must emerge from communities themselves through investment in people as agents of change. He reaffirmed that the Association will continue standing alongside the Lebanese people and everyone in need, regardless of the challenges ahead.
The visit concluded with a tour of the centre’s facilities and meetings with its medical staff and personnel, who have, over many years, embodied resilience and humanitarian commitment. Their work stands as a testament to the enduring mission that Amel Association has carried for more than four decades—proving that its commitment to protecting human dignity has remained stronger than war and will continue to guide its work, whatever the circumstances.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license
