Amel Annual Activity Report 2014

Our motto : Positive thinking and permanent optimism Our approach the 3’ P’s : Principle, Position and Practice

HEALTH TABLE OF CONTENTS

About Amel

Page 1

Syrian Emergency Response

Page 3

Health

Page 5

Education & Child Protection

Page 6

Livelihood

Page 7

Amel’s House of Human Rights

Page 8

Migrant Domestic Workers

Page 9

Partners

Page 10

The following pages will offer the reader a more detailed view of our activities in the field of Health, Education, Child Protection, Livelihoods, Human Rights and Migrant Domestic Workers.

Thereafter, our action towards the vulnerable populations in Lebanon is recounted through their eyes and experience, aiming to highlight our achievements, our challenges and the impact of our actions on the lives of our beneficiaries.

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ABOUT AMEL Amel Association International is a non-governmental, civil and no sectarian organization established in 1979 .

Through its 24 centers and 6 Mobile Medical Units, Amel provides access to healthcare services (in the medical, psychosocial) and implements development programs (vocational training, rural development, protection of Children and promotion of human rights), in the most deprived areas of Lebanon, Beirut and its southern suburbs via Mount Lebanon and trays Bekaa (east of Lebanon) to the south of Lebanon.

Amel’s projects target underprivileged populations, regardless of their nationality or political and religious affiliations.

Amel Association International also aims to strengthen the culture of rights among citizens, refugees and migrants and to promote access to their rights and their involvement in public life.

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CONTEXT In August 2014, the situation related to the

The crisis is also compounded by the severe

Syrian crisis dramatically changed, as extremist

decrease in funds allocated to the response to

elements affiliated to Daech and Al-Nosra Front

the crisis.

carried out attacks against Lebanese army

In December 2014, tens of thousands of Syrian

checkpoints in Ersal. For more than a week,

refugee families were threatened by WFP food

these Islamic militants took over large parts of

cuts and only 15% of the Syrian refugee school

the town of Ersal and fierce fighting with

children have access to education. Moreover,

Lebanese security forces and army ensued. Many

the changing beneficiaries’ targeting process

residents of Ersal, Lebanese as well as Syrians,

poses serious dilemmas to

left

many

including Amel, which have to prioritize

damaged.

between the most vulnerable amongst the

Moreover, many of the informal camps (ITSs)

vulnerable and to address increasing needs with

surrounding the town were burned to the

heavily reduced budgets.

the

area

houses/shelters

at

that

were

time severely

and

aid agencies,

ground. In their withdrawal, the militants took dozens of Lebanese soldiers and police officers as hostages, who are now being used as bargaining tools for the demands issued by militants.

Despite these serious security incidents, Amel was able to maintain its presence in Ersal and to deliver aid to the affected populations, when almost all other agencies were abandoning the town. In the first days after the crisis, Amel provided healthcare services to more than 500 people, severely distressed by the events. Child protection and Livelihood activities also resumed promptly in order to bring a sense of normality to the affected populations.

Distribution, Mashghara, August 2014

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This crisis has also caused heated debates in the government regarding the status of refugees in Lebanon. Opinions converge between political actors that Lebanon is not able to host any more refugees and the way of managing the refugee crisis (setting up refugee camps, limiting the entry of refugees) is much disputed among the authorities. Already, stricter regulations are applied on entry to Lebanon for Syrians and coming and going across the border is

Beneficiaries from Kfair and Iblsaki, learning technique of production training, Chiah center

forbidden for registrered refugees.

In this sense, Amel has actively contributed to the design of Lebanon Country Response Plan 2015/2016, a strategic and fundraising document for

concerted

and

effective

action.

By

reinforcing fair partnerships with beneficiaries, as well as with the local communities and other

Mobile clinic, photo: Quentin Bruno

civil into the trap of inaction and pessimism.

Strong in its experience in Lebanon, both in and

development

periods,

and

particularly in the context of this protracted crisis, Amel aims to adopt simple and coherent ways of action to serve the basic needs of the affected populations,

while

paving

the

way

actors,

we

are

certain

contributing to a better, common future.

Despite these challenges, Amel refuses to fall

emergency

society

for

development and stabilization.

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of

HEALTH

Since its creation in 1979, Health has always

Amel medical teams also provide family planning

been

and promote health and hygiene education

a

priority

for

Amel

Association

international. Indeed, one of the main Amel’s

through awareness sessions (basic hygiene rules,

main principles is to guarantee to the most

contraception and STDs, etc). In its programs,

vulnerable and marginalized people the Right to

Amel also provides also vaccins (as an

access

integrated activity in the national vaccination

qualitative,

affordable

and

non-

campaign) and distributes hygiene kits.

discriminating healthcare to the most vulnerable and marginalized population. The demand for healthcare has continuously increased in the past four years, due to the massive arrival of Syrian refugees to the Lebanese territory, and the alarming conditions of hygiene, promiscuity, overcrowding malnutrition or water scarcity that those populations are suffering from.

In this context, Amel has continued to increase the number of Primary, Secondary and Mental healthcare services provided to both Lebanese

Kamel el Loz, photo: S.Chatelier

and refugees through 24 Centers and 6 Mobile clinics.

FACTS in 2014:

pregnant women, so we ensure specific

80 212 consultations in the Amel’s centers and mobile clinic

attention is given to making maternity and

12 242 vaccinations

Fourty per cent of our beneficiaries are

reproductive care a specific concern.

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EDUCATION AND CHILD PROTECTION Children are one of the main victim in times of war. Within the Syrian crisis, more than 50 per cent of Syrian refugees in Lebanon are children, according the UNHCR registration figure.

Amel,

in

cooperation

with

UNICEF,

is

implementing Child Protection programs in six Amel community centers in the Bekaa and Beirut.

Amel

Association

International

Amel’s Center, Kamed el Loz

considers

education to be a fundamental human right of

In this programs Amel has included remedial

the human being and a ground-stone of to any

classes and an Accelerated Learning Program

healthy society, as it opens up new prospects

(ALP).

for a better life. In fact, a lack of education makes

Arabic, French, English and mathematics classes

children an easy prey for any kind of abuse and

are provided to Syrian and Iraqi refugee as well

exploitation, from early marriage to child labor

as Lebanese children in Amel community

or delinquency.

centers.

In this regard, Education and Child Protection

FACTS :

projects targeting both refugees and local

66 714 children have access to education due to the Amel’s work

populations have been developed over time and have become one of the main areas of expertise

10 118 beneficiairies have benefited from Amel’s psychosocial support

of the organization. 5 000 children and family

8 283 beneficiairies Protection Program

are target in this project in which Amel develops components in recreational activities,

in

Amel’s

Child

Amel has employed more than 250 staffs to support the education program

awareness sessions, psychological support and community events.

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LIVELIHOOD The current crisis in Syria has put immense

Mann Hiya, is an excellent example of the

pressure on the Lebanese economy and is

program’s initiative. It’s a cooperative of women

bringing it to a breaking point. The massive influx

who produce

of refugees, having left their jobs behind in their DISTRIBUTION

jewellery, to put in place an

income-generating activity.

country of origin, have entered in competition with the local community for low skilled jobs,

In 2014, Amel has upscaled its livelihood activities

strongly disrupting the job market and causing a

to include a higher number of people affected by

high rise in prices of rent, goods and services.

the Syrian crisis, including refugees and host communities. This is was thanks to the support of

Access to the labour market through professional

UNHCR, the European Union and the Ministry of

trainings has been one of Amel strategic goals.

Social

Affairs.

These

activities

have

been

In this regards, Amel is implementing various

implemented in Amel’s centers of Beirut (Haret

programs with the aim of integrating youth and

Hreik, Ain el Remmaneh, Chiah, Hay el Sellom)

refugees into the social and formal labor market

and in the Bekaa Region (Ersal, El Ain).

structure. Amel’s livelihood program includes the following activities: educational and courses

in

languages

and

computer

training skills,

vocational trainings (handicrafts, hairdressing, mechanics, nursing, computer maintenance, cell phone maintenance, etc.), life skills trainings (conflict resolution, communication, human rights, health), recreational activities and psychological consultations.

These classes are provided in order to allow for a significant and effective change in the lives of men, women and youth in marginalized areas, and to improve their chances of integration into the labour market.

Training courses, Photo: René Clément

In 2007, Amel expanded its program to include refugees (Iraqis, Sudanese, etc…).

FACTS : In 2014, 539 children have benefited of the Livelihood Program

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AMEL HOUSE OF HUMAIN RIGHTS AMEL HOUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

In 2009, Amel House of Human Rights was

As an expression of its commitment, Amel

created and aims to become a leading provider of

Association has been organizing since 2005,

high-quality human rights education and DISTRIBUTION training in the Arab world, and a hub for UMAN RIGHTS knowledge, know how and advocacy for legal

periodical educational sessions and seminars on Civil

Rights,

Citizenship,

Peace-building,

International Justice, Democracy, and other related issues, targeting mainly the youth of

protection.

Lebanon in order to promote dialogue among all As such, AHHR has specialized in delivering legal

categories of the communities of Lebanese

education

International

society. As in other year, 2014 saw Summer

Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law

School on Law and Armed Conflict, organized by

in

Refugee

Law,

DISTRIBUTION in Lebanon and the Arab world to meet the needs

Amel House of Human Rights, part of Amel

of the students, activist, experts, politicians and

Association, in partnership with the Law Faculty

legal practitioners in order to see a legal

of the La Sagesse University in Beirut.

frameworks emerge for human rights in the Arab world.

Being an active member of Lebanese and Arab Civil Society during the past 35 years, Amel has continuously noticed and been concerned by the underdevelopment and lack of awareness of the Human Rights theme throughout the Arab World.

The Summer School on Law and Armed Conflict, in Beirut in September 2014

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MIGRANTS DOMESTICS WORKERS Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon face

Amel’s staff provide support on social, legal,

major lack inegal and social protection needs.

psychological

and

Their numbers are estimated between 150.000

therapy, using

therapies and

and 220.000 originating from Asia and Africa

MDWs who are victims of violence or human

continents (mostly from Sri Lanka, Ethiopia,

trafficking.

DISTRIBUTION Philippines, and Bangladesh).

health

services

for

repatriation

of

This population

represents almost 6% of the population of

At least, Amel raises awareness among employers

Lebanon and it is vital that we pay close attention

and employees on the Rights of Migrant Domestic

to the promotion and the protection of their

Workers, Slavery and Human Trafficking, in such

rights.

a way fulfilling its mission of providing information to beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

In February 2011, Amel established a program to support Migrant Domestic Workers, developed in different sectors and geographical areas all over Lebanon.

Within this program, Amel has developed various activities.

Amel, with its expertise on advocacy, carries out research on the status of Illegal Migrants Domestic workers in Lebanon (and in the region).

Amel plays an important lobbying role and coordinates NGOs for the promotion and adoption of a specific law for MDW. Education, Empowerment and Therapy for Migrant Domestic Workers, Chiyah center

But most of all, its action is concentrated on empowering Migrant Domestic Workers through English classes, computer literacy and capacity building activities.

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AMEL THANKS ITS PARTNERS FOR SUPPORTING :

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AMEL, PLEASE CONTACT :

Amel Association International info@amel.org 00961 1317 293

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