The emergence of the organization
The organization was created in 1987 by a team of educated and experienced Afghan volunteers. The initial aims were to provide emergency aid for war victims in the field, to assist with the rehabilitation of rural and urban life, and to work with communities for sustainable development in Afghanistan. The first priority was to provide emergency help, in form of food and medical aid, for the civilian population in liberated areas. It was very important to provide the assistance locally, to avoid exacerbating population displacement and migration. The second priority was to assist (returning) families and communities by rehabilitating basic infrastructure, irrigation systems, roads, schools and clinics, for instance. In addition, some social services such as primary education and basic health and medical services were provided.
CHA’s main office was set up in outside Afghanistan to facilitate contacts with donor agencies, maintain records and do reporting and correspondence. This office also organized programs, and field inputs. Field operations were controlled through this office and a network of project site offices in different provinces and districts. Initially, CHA’s activities in Afghanistan were confined to two districts of Farah province, but in 1990 they were extended to all the districts of the province.