The Bureau for Reconstruction and Development (BRD) is a registered Afghan humanitarian, non-profit non-government agency which implements and co-ordinates community-based development projects and activities. It works for the empowerment and equitable status of women through the provision of education, skills training and income generation opportunities. It targets beneficiaries such as female-headed households, widows, female refugees, and girls.  It promotes democracy through human rights, democracy, civic, and peace education.

BRD was established in 2003 by a group of expert Afghans in order to participate in the process of reconstruction and development of the country.  By having a wide range of expertise in emergency, humanitarian and development assistance, BRD intends to expand and provide a quality service to communities in its target areas.

Afghanistan in Context

Due to over twenty years of devastating conflict, Afghanistan has experienced severe economic, political, and social instability. The events of September 11 in 2001 once again returned Afghanistan to international attention and subsequent intervention, the consequences of which were the removal of the Taliban Government, the installation of a national interim government and the implementation of a post-conflict recovery plan by the international community.

Although Afghanistan is now in its second year of post-conflict recovery, and humanitarian assistance continues to play an integral part in the rehabilitation process, a vast number of Afghan citizens continue to live in extreme poverty and many more lack the health, education or opportunity to fulfill their potential. Afghanistan's economy is in a state of collapse and whereas once it was largely self-sufficient and an exporter of agricultural products, Afghanistan's productive capability has all but vanished. The three-year drought resulting in widespread famine and the enormous need to import food has decreased the economic capacity of Afghan society. The deplorable state of the national economy and the near-complete destruction of basic infrastructure have left millions unemployed and destitute.

Furthermore, expectations are that large numbers of refugees and internally displaced people will return to their places of origin. This will place a huge burden on many high needs, low infrastructure areas. With most of the country's infrastructure destroyed, the people in Afghanistan need a structured and sustainable humanitarian relief and rehabilitation programme in place.

The Challenge for BRD

The challenge for BRD is to examine where, as a new organization, it fits in the ever-increasing complex environment and how best it can respond to the needs of the communities it serves. BRD intends to implement projects in different areas of Afghanistan particularly in those where humanitarian assistance has rarely been provided. This site will continuously reflect BRD's response to the challenge.