At a time when values collapse under the weight of sectarianism, political divisions, and economic crises, and when institutions crumble one after another, Amel Association International stands out as a rare example of resilience. For more than four decades, it has not only endured but expanded, becoming a central part of Lebanon’s social landscape and a regional reference point for humanitarian action.
In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Kamel Mohanna, founder and president of Amel, shares the story of how the association began, how it has endured, and what principles have allowed it to flourish despite Lebanon’s turbulent history.
Roots: From a Modest Farming Family to a Doctor with a Mission
For Dr. Mohanna, every institution that survives the test of time must have strong roots, grounded in people and history. His own roots lie in a modest farming family in southern Lebanon. His father, a man known for his integrity, served as deputy mayor of their village for forty years. Despite limited means, he believed passionately in education and insisted on sending his eleven children to school.
“From our family came doctors, judges, teachers,” recalls Dr. Mohanna. “I chose medicine, and studied in France. But when I came back, I felt that my mission could not be confined to the walls of a clinic or a hospital. My responsibility was larger.”
That realization became the seed of a new path. In 1979, in the middle of Lebanon’s civil war, he co-founded Amel—a secular, non-sectarian association committed to serving all people equally. Its guiding motto, which still hangs at its headquarters, reads:
“I want nothing from anyone, and I expect nothing from anyone.”
From Idea to Institution
To found a humanitarian association in 1979 was not just ambitious—it was audacious. Lebanon was in the throes of a brutal civil war. Sectarian divides cut through every street and household. Yet Amel was born as a space open to all, refusing to align itself with any political or sectarian camp.
Over the years, what began as a small initiative has grown into a nationwide network. Today, Amel runs over 50 centers across Lebanon, staffed by more than 1,800 employees and volunteers, the majority of whom are women and young people.
Its programs range from health services to education, vocational training, social protection, human rights, and emergency humanitarian aid. In each of these, Amel has insisted on one principle: human dignity comes before politics.
The Pillars of Success
When asked what has allowed Amel to survive for more than forty years, Dr. Mohanna highlights five key pillars:
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Compassion and Love: “We work with people out of love. You cannot serve others unless you first see them with compassion.”
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Trust: Building mutual trust with communities is the foundation of Amel’s success.
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Accurate Information: Decisions must be based on facts, not assumptions. “We never form an opinion without clear data.”
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Vision: Goodwill is not enough; every initiative must be guided by a long-term vision.
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Capable Human Resources: A competent, committed team is the most valuable resource of all.
“A project without vision may look successful in the short term, but it leaves no lasting impact,” he stresses.
Philosophy of Action: Humanity First
At the heart of Amel’s philosophy is a simple conviction: the human being is the goal, the axis, and the starting point.
Religion, sect, or nationality are not matters of choice; we are born into them. What we can choose, however, is how to affirm our shared humanity.
From this belief came Amel’s three central slogans:
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Positive Thinking
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Continuous Optimism
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Social Solidarity
Far from being empty words, these principles have been practiced daily in Amel’s work—whether in running health clinics for marginalized communities, responding to emergencies, or empowering young people with skills for the future.
Lebanon: A Land of Contradictions
Lebanon is often described as a paradox—a country fragile to the point of collapse, yet resilient in ways that defy explanation. Dr. Mohanna embraces this contradiction:
“Lebanon has enough sectarianism to destroy itself, but also enough diversity to be a global model of coexistence. If we can work as one team, beyond political and sectarian divisions, we can present the world with a true alternative to racism and hatred.”
Beyond Borders: A Global Humanitarian Mission
Though rooted in Lebanon, Amel’s mission has always transcended borders. Over the years, it has established partnerships and operations in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Ivory Coast, Sri Lanka, and beyond.
This international presence, Dr. Mohanna insists, is not about prestige or expansion:
“It is about affirming that wherever there is human suffering, we stand with the oppressed. Our loyalty is not to governments or factions, but to people.”
Human Dignity as the Foundation
Again and again, Dr. Mohanna returns to one theme: dignity. For him, dignity is not an abstract concept but a set of basic rights that must be guaranteed:
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The right to health
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The right to education
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The right to housing
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The right to decent work
“No state can be built without ensuring these essentials,” he explains. “Without them, the citizen becomes crushed, humiliated, incapable of contributing to the building of society.”
A New Generation at the Helm
One of Amel’s greatest strengths is its youth-driven workforce. With 85% of its employees and volunteers under the age of 35, the association sees renewal as part of its DNA.
“This is the guarantee of continuity,” says Dr. Mohanna. “We are not building monuments for ourselves. We are handing the torch to a new generation, who will carry the mission forward in their own way.”
From a Village in the South to the World
From the modest village of his birth, where his father raised cattle and worked the land, Dr. Mohanna has traveled a long road. But the lesson he draws from his journey is simple: with vision, persistence, and faith in humanity, small initiatives can grow into global movements.
Amel today is not just an NGO. It is, as Mohanna describes it, “a social movement for human dignity and freedom.”
Its history proves that civil society can endure—even thrive—in the most adverse circumstances, provided it is rooted in clear values and animated by a long-term vision.
Faith in Humanity Against All Odds
At a time when Lebanon teeters on the brink—politically fractured, economically bankrupt, socially exhausted—the story of Amel offers an alternative narrative: one of resilience, solidarity, and faith in human dignity.
“Despite everything,” concludes Dr. Mohanna, “we still believe. Faith in humanity is enough to achieve the impossible.”