Since 1954, CWS-P/A has worked for the development and relief of marginalized communities on the basis that all individuals irrespective of race, faith, color, sex, economic status, or political opinion have the right to choose how to live. The organization assists communities to achieve economic prosperity and improve human and social capital through participatory endeavors, which liberate families and enhance their capacities to take control over their lives. Committed to quality performance, human rights, right to access information, and right to complain, CWS-P/A ensures that its humanitarian and development initiatives provide communities with their pertinent right and authority over resources.
Currently, CWS-P/A operates from its head office in Karachi and additional offices in Islamabad, Lahore, Mansehra, and Swat in Pakistan and Jalalabad and Kabul in Afghanistan. It also runs a training center in Murree, Pakistan. Projects are organized out of its three programs: Capacity Building Program, Disaster Management Program, and Social Development Program. CWS-P/A’s thematic priorities include: disaster management; water, sanitation, and the environment; health; education; livelihoods; peace and governance; and accountability to beneficiaries.
With a network of close to four hundred partners, CWS-P/A adopts various approaches to project implementation. The organization can either be fully or semi-operational or work directly with an implementing partner depending on the type of project. This versatility enables CWS-P/A to cater every initiative to the needs of the communities, thus, preserving their dignity, self-reliance, and ownership.
Globally, CWS-P/A is part of CWS, Inc. and is registered with both the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2005, CWS-P/A received ISO 9001:2000 accreditation and the following year was awarded USAID management standards certification. CWS-P/A is a member of the ACT Alliance. In 2008, CWS-P/A became a full member of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership. CWS-P/A is also a signatory to the Red Cross/Red Crescent Code of Conduct for NGOs in Disaster Relief.
