DACAAR (Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees) is a development and humanitarian agency that is non-political, non-governmental, and non-profit. DACAAR has worked tirelessly towards improving the well-being of Afghan citizens since 1984. Starting in Denmark with a strong base in Afghanistan, DACAAR has touched millions of lives by building resilience, promoting self-reliance, and enabling sustainable rural development.

Our Mission

DACAAR empowers Afghan communities through the provision of tools and knowledge to spearhead their own development process. We work with civil society groups, private sector actors, and government institutions to:

• Provide emergency relief to vulnerable populations.
• Enable the reintegration of returnees and internally displaced people (IDPs).
• Foster long-term development through livelihood activities.
• Establish local capacities to ensure sustainable improvement.

Our Vision

Internally:

• A respected and well-established NGO based in Afghan society.
• Transparent operations with clearly defined policies and strategies.
• A competent and diverse workforce, with Afghan professionals holding core management positions.

Externally:

• Afghan men and women effectively managing local resources to enhance their livelhoods.
• Robust civil society where communities are exposed to knowledge, education, and basic services.
• Enhanced resilience to economic and environmental shocks.

Our Core Activities

DACAAR has an integrated and holistic approach to rural development to bring long-term and sustainable change. Our key areas of focus are:

1. Humanitarian Assistance & Emergency Response

Providing life-saving assistance to internally displaced persons, returnees, and conflict- and disaster-affected populations.

Emergency response interventions to address urgent needs.

2. Early Recovery & Developmental Programs

Assisting vulnerable groups in restoring their lives after crises.

Enabling sustainable economic and social reintegration of displaced communities.

3. Livelihood & Resilience Building

Enhancing employment opportunities through vocational training and capacity building programs.

Enabling income-generating activities that permit long-term self-sufficiency.

4. Community-Based Approach

Working with local communities directly to establish needs and implement solutions.

Collaborating with Community Development Councils, Village Shuras, and District Development Assemblies.

Fostering Afghan ownership of projects for long-term viability.

Our Impact

Since its establishment, DACAAR has:

• Assisted an estimated 12 million Afghans in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
• Developed trust relationships with local people, permitting far-reaching and effective interventions.
• Designed and initiated open, participatory, effective, and quality projects with strong commitment to equity and participation.

Employment & Job Opportunities Creation

DACAAR is not just about giving aid—it’s more about enabling people. In all of our various programs, we create jobs that bring about not just the individual’s improvement but also improvement in the community:

• Afghan Employment Opportunities: DACAAR employs around 1,000 national staff and 6 international staff, hence it is a significant employer in the development industry.
• Capacity Building & Vocational Training: We equip people with skills to work in different sectors, improving their capacity to earn livelihoods.
• Local Business Partnerships: We work in close association with Afghan companies to develop employment opportunities and drive economic growth.

Our Commitment to Transparency & Integrity

At DACAAR, we uphold the highest quality, honesty, and efficiency standards. Our actions are guided by the following core values:

• Efficiency – Maximizing impact with existing resources.
• Honesty – Being open and accountable.
• Participation – Engaging communities in decision-making.
• Equity – Ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources.
• Quality – Striving for excellence in all undertakings.
• Transparency – Operating openly and with integrity.

Where We Operate

DACAAR has a presence throughout Afghanistan with operational offices at:

• Main Office: Kabul, Afghanistan
• Regional Offices: Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat, Maimana, Kunduz, Kabul
• European Secretariat: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Leadership & Governance
• DACAAR is administered under the guidance of an experienced governing board to ensure good decision-making and strategic direction:
• Director: John Morse (Main Office, Kabul)
• Head of Secretariat: Klaus Løkkegaard (Copenhagen, Denmark)
• Governing Board Members: Representatives of the Danish People’s Aid (DPA), The Danish Afghan Committee, and representatives of The Danish Trade Union Development Agency (DTDA)

Conclusion

DACAAR is not only a humanitarian organization—it is a force for change in Afghanistan. Through its sustainable development, creation of jobs, and community resilience-building efforts, we empower Afghan communities to forge a brighter, self-sufficient future. With our accountable and participatory processes, we continue to be an Afghan development process partner of confidence.

To learn more and career opportunities with DACAAR, click on NGO JOBS CENTER today!