/ Programmes

Cooperation for Development

By improving the basic living conditions for people in rural parts of the country, SCA is working to support reconstruction, peace and stability in Afghanistan. Three long-term development programmes are implemented in 16 provinces of the country, in the fields of primary education, healthcare and disability.

SCA’s policy clearly states that the organisation should focus on rural, underserved areas and that particular attention must be paid to vulnerable groups in society, including women and children. The policy also emphasises the importance of development cooperation, that is, aid in which the Afghans themselves play an important role.

Capacity building among staff is a major component in all SCA activities. The total number of permanent and project based Afghan staff currently exceeds 5,500. Building skills and local capacity is crucial for the continuity and sustainability of all SCA's activities.

SCA programmes

• Education - The possibilities for education have always been very limited in Afghanistan. SCA has been one of the largest providers of primary education in rural Afghanistan with support to over 400 schools. SCA is in now, in an agreement with minister of Education (MoE), in the process of handing over and phasing out salary supported SCA schools to the government. SCA will continue to support 15 primary schools, 9 twin schools as model schools, whilst the remaining schools will be supported by the Afghan government

• Health - The health situation in Afghanistan is one of the worst in the world. SCA provides medicines, equipment, partial salaries and training. SCA has also signed a contract with the Ministry of Health as implementing partner of the new Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in two provinces, Wardak and Paktika. There is a particular focus on mother and child health.

• Disability - Each month some 300 people die from mines in Afghanistan. Through its programme Rehabilitation of Afghans with Disabilities (RAD), SCA provides comprehensive care and creates opportunities for thousands of Afghans with disabilities. The programme includes physiotherapy, orthopaedic workshops and special education for children with various forms of disabilities.

• Rural Development- The Rural development Programme is aiming to promote sustainable community development programmes in SCA coverage areas through participation-based multi-sectoral interventions.

•Agriculture - For more than a decade, SCA has been actively involved in improving the production of basic food in Afghanistan through improvement and multiplication of seeds. As of 1 January 2006 SCA´s Agriculture Programme, along with its staff, was officially handed over to the afghan NGO Coordination of Afghan Relief (CoAR).

SCA programmes are financed by Sida (the Swedish government aid agency), Forum Syd , EU, World Bank, UN agencies and fundraising by the organisation. The budget for 2006-2007 is approximately EUR 42 million.