About Church World Service - Pakistan / Afghanistan
Church World Service - Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A) is a worldwide and ecumenical organisation that has been working in Pakistan and Afghanistan since 1954 for the development and relief of marginalised communities. Globally, CWS offices are part of Church World Service International, and locally it is rooted through its advisory board and regional networks. CWS-P/A has eight offices located in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Mansehra, Murree, Quetta (Pakistan) Jalalabad and Kabul (Afghanistan). Its three main programme components are:
- Social Development Programme
- Capacity Building Programme
- Disaster Response Programme
Starting out in Karachi, CWS-P/A quickly diversified from running just SDP projects to encompassing CBP and DRP initiatives, operating from different permanent bases around the country, before expanding into Afghanistan. In 2004 we celebrated 50 years of committed service to the region. The golden jubilee celebrations acknowledged the prolific partnership that CWS-P/A has enjoyed with more then 350 partners locally and internationally. Currently we work in collaboration with 371 partners and employee over 350 staff members.
Our broad range of projects focus on, humanitarian development, relief initiatives, poverty reduction, strengthening civil society organisations, women’s empowerment, and effective advocacy on socio-political issues. It assists communities with access to better health and education, strengthening agricultural development, and recovering from emergencies and disasters. CWS-P/A firmly believes and follows the rights based development approach, which ensures that all economic progress should only be achieved once human dignity is preserved and all basic rights have been met.
CWS P/A is also an implementing member of ACT International (Action by Churches Together), which offers assistance to communities affected by natural disasters, as well as in emergencies caused by war and conflict.
In 2005, CWS-P/A received ISO 9001:2000 accreditation for its entire programme, and the following year was awarded USAID management standards certification.
