In a gesture of cross-border solidarity, former French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner visited the town of Khiam alongside a delegation from Amel Association International, to assess the humanitarian situation following the recent Israeli aggression on South Lebanon. He was joined by Dr. Patrick Aeberhard, former President of Médecins du Monde, and Dr. Kamel Mohanna, Founder and President of Amel Association International.
A Destroyed Home, a Shared Memory
Kouchner began his tour by visiting the home of Dr. Kamel Mohanna, a long-time friend whom he had visited on several occasions in Khiam. This time, however, the scene was different: the house lay in ruins after being struck during the bombardment. Deeply moved, Kouchner expressed his sorrow with emotional words, highlighting the pain of witnessing the destruction of a place tied to his long-standing friendship and memories.
Solidarity and Advocacy for Resilience
Dr. Patrick Aeberhard conveyed his solidarity with the people of the region and reaffirmed his support for Amel’s mission in Lebanon and abroad, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian action in times of crisis.
The delegation also visited Amel’s center in Khiam, which had previously been hit during earlier strikes but was recently rehabilitated to resume its crucial services. Kouchner and Aeberhard were briefed on the center’s activities and its essential role in supporting the local community and reinforcing resilience.
The tour also included a stop at the land allocated for a new primary health care center in Khiam, currently under construction, which will provide vital medical services to residents facing extraordinary hardships.
Field Visits to Amel Centers
The delegation then proceeded to Amel’s center in Arqoub, where they met with the field team and observed the services being delivered to local residents under extremely challenging conditions.
Amel: 45 Years of Commitment
For more than four decades, Amel Association International, founded by Dr. Kamel Mohanna, has embodied a model of humanitarian commitment rooted in human rights and dignity. Beyond providing health, social, and educational services, Amel has become a symbol of resilience in Lebanon and worldwide, standing firm in the face of wars, aggressions, and crises.
The Message of the Visit
Concluding their visit, Kouchner and Aeberhard underscored the importance of continuing to support affected communities and strengthening humanitarian action as a tool to confront the consequences of aggression. They stressed that Amel’s work sends out a powerful Lebanese message of resilience—an affirmation of the will to live despite destruction, and a true embodiment of humanitarian solidarity.
The delegation is set to continue its mission tomorrow in the Bekaa Valley, where it will visit additional Amel centers, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the association’s mission and accompanying its efforts to serve the most vulnerable populations.
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