Acknowledgement:

This book reflects the activities and achievements of CoAR in the course of 15 years of its existence. In spite of the fact that security situation were not favorable during these years in the country, often impeding proper carrying of activities, however, the founding members of this organization, owing to their great interest in serving their people, were giving positive response to the demands of their people with the required devotion and honesty and in good faith, cooperated with the needy in the sphere of agriculture, animal husbandry, engineering, health, irrigation, rural infrastructure and raising the awareness of the beneficiaries and uplifting their socio- economic standards.

 It should be noted that preparation of this book that is reflecting the activities and achievements of this organization is an important step towards encouraging the staff to better serve their beneficiaries.

 We deem it necessary to recall the dedicated services of all the CoAR staff in the Main Office and the Regional Offices in particular the sweet memories of Martyred Bakhtawar who has lost his life in December 7- 1991.

We would like to appreciate efforts from Mr. Frederic Roussel who has devoted his precious time in establishing CoAR since its inception.

 We would like to recall with appreciation the untiring services of Eng. Mohammad Naeem Salimee (General Director) who has not refrained from any effort and devotion and encouraging of colleagues in founding and developing, expansion and enriching the services of this organization these years and wish him all the best.

 Meanwhile, CoAR would like to thank the leadership of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, the national and International organizations and individuals who under delicate conditions have assisted us in achieving our activities and wish them every success.

Brief History of CoAR

The Coordination of Afghan Relief (CoAR) was formed by a group of Afghan intellectuals in September of 1989. CoAR began its initial activities in Ghazni, Wardak and Logar provinces. In spite of the fact that NGO and its method of activities were quite a new phenomenon in our country, and the NGO staff had no working experience with the State or Private offices, they tried their utmost to initiate better service to the needy in accord with the requirements of the time. The NGO had observed the following points to the possible extent:

-          Improving of socio-economic life of the people, 

-          Procuring and creation of new income sources and job opportunity,

-          Increasing the level of skills of families (women, and children) to enable them to effectively use the natural source and available possibilities,

-          Designing of participatory programs with the community,

-          Exchange of experience with similar organizations and the society,

-          Delivering of moral and material aid taking note of priorities to the poor and vulnerable of society,

-          Return of refugees and the displaced,

-          Distribution of credits protection and encouraging of private sector,

-          Delivering of emergency aid as per need,

-          Designing and implementation of useful and lawful projects,

-          Observing of international conventions and the UN Charter,

-          To achieve these objectives, CoAR paved the way for intervention in the society for realization of agricultural, animal husbandry, health, education, rural rehabilitation, income generation and distribution of credits.    

-          CoAR was established under military and war conditions, it therefore depended on the military or Jehadi commander to have the required operative ability to analyze conditions and issue orders. Pursuing of this principle required that everything should be centralized,

-          Independence of the country was another aim of the organization—Political, economic and social independence and establishment of a strong central government and the sovereignty of law free from any discriminations, exploitation of one from another and one group from another group.

 Relying on the above principles and on Allah Almighty, practical activities had started, that is briefly reflected in this book: