NEPA National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA)

Tel: (+93) 79325678, 70276431
E-Mail: asif.zaidi@unep.ch
Address: Darulaman, Kabul

The Government through NEPA has confirmed its interest into an innovative relationship, focussing on the alleviation of the hazardous environmental conditions. On May 21, 2009, the inter-ministerial Committee on Environmental Coordination has issued encouraging statements, recommending an action to be taken and inviting SKAT to join in.

German Technical Cooperation(GIZ) Kabul Office

Website: http://www.giz.de
Tel: +93-799 310 353
Address: Charahi-e-Sederat, House No # 33/2

GIZ started implementing technical cooperation measures on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2001, after the fall of the Taliban regime. The German and Afghan governments have agreed to concentrate on the economic development, energy supply, water, education, good governance, focusing on the rule of law, gender and regional development, development oriented emergency and transitional aid as priority areas in response to the country’s diverse problems.

In 2010, GIZ has mandated SKAT for an assessment in Uruzgan province, where brick making practices are almost inexistent, but with opportunities for the use of alternative fuel at stake (almond shells).

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Website: http://www.unep.org
Tel: +93-799 310 353
Address: National Environmental Protection Agency, Darulaman, Kabul

UNEP trains and mentors counterpart staff from the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and provides technical assistance and advice in the fields of environmental coordination, environmental law and policy, environmental impact assessment and pollution control, environmental education and awareness, community-based natural resources management, protected areas, and multilateral environmental agreements.

Groupe Energies Renouvelables, Environnement et Solidarités (GERES)

Website: http://www.geres.free.fr
Email: afghanistan@geres.eu
Tél.: + 93 799 118 304
Address: St. Koch-e-Qassabi, House No # 31, Kabul

GERES has been working in Afghanistan since 2002, drawing on its successful experience in the neighbouring Indian Himalayas. Similar geographical and climatic conditions mean that GERES is well placed to assist in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, by disseminating energy inefficient techniques suited to colder areas, firstly in public buildings (hospitals and government offices) and then in the development of income-generating agricultural activities. A regular interaction with GERES was established during VSBK Project phase so as to enhance the use of quality bricks from VSBK.

Afghan National Standards Authority (ANSA)

Website: http://www.ansa.gov.af
Email: ansa.ceo@gmail.com
Tel: +93 202320117
Address: Jalalabad Road, Kabul

ANSA establishes facilities for inspection and testing, and will cooperate with all stakeholders in regulating the trade in goods so as to conform to national standards and technical regulations. ANSA has been assigned by the Economic Council of Ministers to consider merging and/or coordinating with existing sister organizations involved in writing National standards, norms, codes of practice in economic sectors such as health and safety, agriculture and food, housing and construction materials.

Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Afghanistan

Website: http://www.akdn.org/akf
Tel: +873 763 631 488
Fax: +873 763 631 489
Address: House # 43, Street # 13, Wazir Akbar Khan, Kabul

The projects of the Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan, include food security, support for healthcare and educational institutions, infrastructure rehabilitation, the restoration of Babur’s Garden in Kabul, the rebuilding of the ceramics village of Istalif the support of the artisanal and craft industry and the regeneration of the old city of Kabul in a sensitive manner. AKF has shown serious interest to support the dissemination of the VSBK technology to North (Badakhshan and Takhar provinces). This initiative has been held up because of security and technical problems.