What We Do

AREA delivers programs across nine sectors, each designed to create sustainable change and empower communities throughout Afghanistan.

Demining and mine action

Mine clearance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations, plus mine and explosive remnant of war (ERW) risk education delivered by trained Afghan deminers accredited by DMAC and UNMAS. AREA CBMAP has been organizing communities to handle their own mine and ERW problems since 1995.

Agriculture development

Support for farming, horticulture, improved seed distribution, animal husbandry, irrigation systems, cooperatives and crop development. AREA’s agricultural services cover farming, horticulture, food and vegetable cropping and animal husbandry across Kabul, Logar, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Kunduz, Samangan, Mazar, Herat and Badghis.

Skills and vocational training

AREA vocational and skills training centres in Kunar, Nangarhar, Kabul and Herat provide training in carpentry, masonry, metal work, shoemaking, tailoring, plumbing, English and computer skills. Every year hundreds of Afghan youth graduate from these centres and gain employment in various occupations to support their families.

Environment protection

Environmental protection projects, including the conservation of the Kol-e-Hashmat Khan wetland in Kabul delivered with UNDP.

Community development

Establishment and strengthening of grassroots institutions through direct community participation, so local communities can take collective decisions and responsibility for development.

Alternative technology and energy conservation

The Alternative Technologies department is responsible for planning, designing, developing and promoting alternative technologies to reduce pressure on the non-renewable sources of energy in the country, including solar cookers, solar water heaters, photovoltaic modules, wind pumps and biogas systems. The department established a metal works factory in Herat in 1997.