Amel is a non-governmental organization, recognized as a public utility by presidential decree 5832 in 1994. Since 2001, Amel has had special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC).

In addition, Amel is a non-profit, non sectarian organization that supports the most underprivileged populations in Lebanon, through various programs involving health care, psychosocial support, rural development, vocational training, child protection and the promotion of human rights.

Amel was founded in 1979 by Dr. Kamel Mohanna and a team of activists, professors, doctors and journalists in response to the Israeli invasion of South Lebanon in 1978, which caused the massacre and displacement of the population and affected the infrastructure of the country.

Amel achieved a considerable task in the fields of relief and emergency assistance through the coordination of 27 centers, 3 field hospitals, an important civil defense team and 30 ambulances. Furthermore, it has actively participated in sending 1,012 victims of war to receive treatment abroad, and took part in a rehabilitation program for the war handicapped through which 400 people benefited from prosthetic implants.

In order to provide access to healthcare for the most deprived populations, the Association has also initiated several programs, including vocational training, support for handicapped people and rural development. Due to its strong presence in the underprivileged areas and the high quality of services provided, the association has gained the confidence of the population. Thanks to its excellent reputation, Amel has involved thousands of people in programs related to Human Rights promotion as well as inter-community dialogue.

Amel is currently expanding its services in the most underprivileged zones in Lebanon (Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon). Thus, Amel can identify the essential needs of the population as well as implement supportive actions fit for helping the residents.

The ultimate purpose of the association is to participate in building durable peace, and a unified and fair State. Amel participates in lobbying actions and emphasizes the reinforcement of the civil society on a national and regional level in order to assert the rights and the needs of the population.

Amel’s objectives are:

Promoting social, economic, civil and cultural rights for the underprivileged in Lebanon.
Contributing to building a strong and mobilized Civil Society in order to strengthen national unity and promote democratic values.
Advocating and lobbying for the principles of human rights in the aim of ensuring Social Justice.
Assisting and providing quality services for everyone (medical activities, rural development, trainings…)
Promoting equal rights and equal opportunities