Ongoing Projects

AFG/F98: Monitoring of Opium Production in Afghanistan

Summary

Since 1994, UNODC has conducted the annual opium poppy survey in Afghanistan to know the extent of opium poppy cultivation and its production in the country. The survey includes four distinct but interrelated components: Rapid Assessment Survey, Annual Opium Poppy Survey, Opium Yield Survey and Opium Price Collection. The survey is a good tool for planning not only for UNODC but for other agencies involved in developmental activities in the country. The 2003 annual opium poppy survey is being conducted with Counter Narcotics Directorate (CND). The final report of the survey was prepared in September 2003.

AFG/G38: Strengthening of Counter Narcotics Law Enforcement Capacities in Afghanistan

Summary

This ongoing project which has been funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Austria, and Japan was developed to assist in building an Afghanistan national narcotics law enforcement police force. This project includes the building and remodeling of a Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) operational headquarters and a fully trained and equipped CNPA Investigative unit.  In addition, nine provincial satellite offices are being established in key locations (Zaranj, Khost, Herat, Lashkargah, Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar, Kunduz and Fiazabad) throughout Afghanistan.  By Afghan law the CNPA is established as an independent body but within the organizational structure of the Afghan National Police of the Ministry of Interior.

AFG/H09: Capacity Building for Drug Demand Reduction in Afghanistan

Summary

The aim of this project is to begin the process of improving capacity of Government counterparts, along with relevant UN agencies, NGOs and community groups in Afghanistan, to address the abuse and misuse of drugs and healthcare and socio-economic issues and problems relating to drug abuse/misuse. The project will balance the long-term need for sustained capacity building in demand reduction for healthcare professionals, teachers, social workers and community development workers with the immediate need for a rapid assessment of the extent, pattern and nature of drug abuse/misuse on a national level. The project  developed and supervised by an International Demand Reduction Adviser, in conjunction with a National Project Coordinator (NPC), who is be responsible for initiating the capacity-building START  (Support: Training: Advice: Resources: Targeting) programme. The programme will be implemented by 3 Demand Reduction Action Teams (DRATs) located in Herat, , Kabul and  Mazar-e-Sharif in the provincial  health departments of MOPH.. The NPC, who will be responsible for the close monitoring and supervision of the project, will work with two National Project Officers sited in the Ministries of Public Health and Education.

AFG/H10: Drug Law Enforcement - Interdiction Unit

Summary

This ongoing project which has been funded by government of the United States was designed to assist the Afghan authorities to effectively counter the problem of drug trafficking through the systematic building of an effective, equipped and trained National Interdiction Unit (NIU) within the structure of CNPA. In order to respond to the National and International counterparts plans and to further support the operational capacity of NIU outside the CNPA HQs Kabul, UNODC was approved to assist in equipping the new NIU building which is being constructed by US Government. This facility will include housing, food preparation, firing ranges, heliports, training rooms, and a communication center. The US is also committed to train an elite force capable of conducting investigation of high value targets (HVTs) seizures, raids, and arrests which are designed to have a national enforcement impact.

AFG/H16: Strengthening Afghan-Iran Drug Border Control and Cross Border Cooperation

Summary

This ongoing project which is funded by the European Commission (EC) and the government of Austria was developed to facilitate the equipping of border control posts along the international border between Afghanistan and Iran. The governments of Iran and Afghanistan have adopted a bilateral agreement for Iran to build 25 border posts within the Afghan territory.  UNODC has committed to train and equip Afghan border patrol officers in these extremely remote locations. This project will enhance the capacity of the Afghan Border Police to reduce the flow of drugs at the Afghanistan/Iran border. To date, 24 out of 25 border posts have been completed and handed over to the government of Afghanistan. The project will:

• Equip up to 25 border posts with drug and precursor test kits, basic search equipment, and transportation equipment.
• Provide the specialized heavy duty equipment for the rebuilding and maintaining border posts access roads.
• Establish a communication network between the border posts and the center.
• Provide appropriate training for staff deployed along the border.
• Provide specialized equipment to assist with duties associated with border patrolling and security.

AFG/R40: Reform of the Juvenile Justice System

Summary

In an effort to strengthen the legislative and institutional capacities for juvenile justice, the project will launch the following activities:

1. strengthening the Juvenile Justice Administration of the Ministry of Justice;
2. setting up new premises for the Youth Court of Kabul;
3. improving the quality of service delivery and capacity building of personnel dealing with juveniles; and
4. reforming the corrections administration for juveniles and establishing a youth residential institution for offenders aged 15-18 in Kabul, initially, with a view to provincial extension.

AFG/R41: Reform of the Penitentiary System

Summary

The project will help to strengthen the legislative and institutional capacities for corrections through the following activities:

1. revising national legislation concerning the rules and regulations of prisons;
2. establishing the Prison Administration of the Ministry of Justice as the focal point for all matters pertaining to penitentiaries, including a national policy for detained women;
3. rehabilitating of prison capacity in Kabul; and
4. setting up a special detention centre for women, with due attention to the needs of women with small children.

This project was launched on 15 June 2003, with the appointment of an international expert (Chief Technical Adviser) and preliminary work to renovate the central prison and Kabul detention centre. An Afghan engineer was hired 1 August 2003; blueprints have been drawn up for a new kitchen, sanitation system, water pump station and administrative offices.

AFG/R42: Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Capacity Building

Summary

The project will:

1. strengthen the operational capacity of the Ministry of Justice;
2. establish a multi-purpose Centre of Justice in selected pilot provinces;
3. develop an information and web-based communication system for the Ministry of Justice and the selected provincial centres of justice;
4. revise national criminal law and procedure;
5. strengthen the operational capacity of the judiciary in Kabul; and
6. develop a legal aid programme and services, including a pilot office in Kabul comprised of legal professionals.

The project has been signed by UNODC and the Minister of Justice.

AFG/R87: Reform of the Penitentiary System, Extension to the provinces

Summary

The project builds on the UNODC current work on reforming Afghanistan's penitentiary system (AFG/R41). Under this project UNODC aims to further upgrade the penitentiary system of the country and extend penitentiary reform to selected provinces. UNODC will focus its efforts simultaneously on infrastructural, normative and operational priorities in a mutually supportive manner. The main aim of the project is to enhance the process of peace building in Afghanistan by ensuring a functioning penitentiary system, which promotes rehabilitation of prisoners.

The activities envisaged comprise:

1. the revision of rules and regulations on penitentiary matters and the expansion of the authority and policy of the Central Prison Department to the provinces;
2. the rehabilitation of selected prison facilities as well as the establishment of rehabilitative programmes, starting from Gardez;
3. the enhancement of the operational capacities and professionalism of penitentiary staff working in selected correctional facilities and improvement of coordination within the criminal justice system;
4. training programmes for correction officers and for social workers, as well as vocational and education programmes for detainees in the selected correctional facilities including alternatives to imprisonment programmes; and
5. the development of programmes addressing the needs of detained women, especially those with children, as well as drug users.

AFG/U10: Fast-track capacity building for a functioning counter narcotics criminal justice system

Summary

The project assists the Afghan Government to build up the national capacity to comprehensively address serious drug related offences in the country, through strengthening institutional capacity to arrest, investigate, try and detain serious criminal offenders suspected and convicted of drug related crimes. The project will aim at:

1. Improving the professional skills and service delivery of selected key professionals in law enforcement and criminal justice to be part of a Counter Narcotics Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) to enable the Afghan government to bring offenders of drug related crime to justice;
2. Setting-up the physical infrastructure and strengthening the institutional capacity to arrest, investigate, try and detain/imprison serious criminal offenders, in particular illicit drugs related crime;
3. Providing continuous support and guidance to the Task Force members ---and therefore the institutions they belong to--- in the application of learnt knowledge to the day-to-day operation through creation of a mentorship mechanism, to oversee and advise on all aspects of the proceedings as well as on the administration of the high security prison.

AFG/H87: Drug Demand Reduction information, advice and training service for Afghan communities living in refugee camps in Baluchistan and North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan

Summary

The aim of this project is to improve the capacity of healthcare professionals, social workers, teachers, community workers and community groups working with afghan communities in target refugee camps in NWFP and Baluchistan to address the abuse and misuse of drugs and healthcare issues related to drug abuse. The project will be supervised by a National Project Coordinator, in conjunction with the Demand Reduction specialist from the UNODC country office in Kabul, and will be implemented by partner NGOs through setting up two specialist teams ( 4 females and 2 males in each team). The teams will develop demand reduction information, advice and training services for selected workers and community groups and drug abusers in the targeted camps. The project will work in close collaboration with project AFG/H09: Capacity building for drug demand reduction in Afghanistan, with UNHCR and Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees in Peshawar and Baluchistan.

AFG/G68: Capacity building for Drug demand reduction in Badakhshan, Nangahar and Kandahar provinces

Summary

The aim of the project AFG/G68, a component of the AFG/H09, is to enhance capacity of the government counterparts, relevant UN agencies and NGOs in addressing drug abuse and problems associated with drug addiction in Afghanistan. The project  developed and supervised by an International Demand Reduction Adviser, in conjunction with a National Project Coordinator (NPC), who is  responsible for mainstreaming  drug demand reduction through START  (Support: Training: Advice: Resources: Targeting) programme for partner agencies and organizations in the provision of healthcare, education and social/community services for Afghan communities. The programme will be implemented by three  Demand Reduction Action Teams (DRATs),consisted of the staff of the Ministries of Public Health and Education. The DRATs  trained, resourced and sited at the provincial health departments  in Nangarahr, Kandahar and Badakhshan , are responsible provision of community-based drug treatment , rehabilitation and drug abuse prevention services to the client groups in their respective provinces. The DRATs were able to treat 971 drug dependents, train 1100 social multipliers in drug abuse prevention and make thousand persons being at risk of drug abuse about the ill consequences af drug abuse/misuse.

AFG/G76: Alternative development capacity building at national and regional level

Summary

The G76 project assists the MCN in a) capacity building and b) mainstreaming. Counter Narcotics (CN) has been identified as a cross-cutting theme in the current ANDS process. Consequently, CN has to be mainstreamed in all pillars of the NDCS, including Alternative Livelihoods. Accordingly, the NDCS has adopted mainstreaming in its updated version as the main approach for the implementation of the NDCS. Capacity building is required to systematically mainstream the CN dimension and analysis into key National Development Programmes (NDPs) and facilitate the proper targeting, planning, coordinating, monitoring and impact assessment of Alternative Livelihoods (AL) in, but not limited to, poppy growing areas and areas at risk.  With the support of an International Alternative Livelihoods Advisor and his team, the mainstreaming strategy followed under the G76 includes the following key objectives:

• Create a trained network of National Experts in Alternative Livelihoods to work in close cooperation with the Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN), and also with Implementing Line Ministries identified in the ALIP (Alternative Livelihoods Implementation Plan), at both central and regional levels, hence providing the institutional framework and technical support for mainstreaming of Counter Narcotics (CN) and Alternative Livelihoods objectives into key NDPs.
• Strengthen existing coordination mechanisms at the central and provincial levels to ensure the integration of a common alternative livelihoods approach (objectives and targets) into existing and new development programs.  The project works closely with key national and international stakeholders in facilitating the targeting, planning, coordinating, monitoring and impact assessment of Alternative Livelihoods interventions, including those falling under the Provincial Development Plans. To this end, the project supports the extension of Alternative Livelihoods Working Groups in the provinces, thus also contributing to improvements in the prioritization and sequencing of alternative livelihoods programs with law enforcement measures, particularly eradication.

AFG/I85: Regional cooperation in Precursor Control between Afghanistan and neighboring countries

Summary

This ongoing project which is funded by the European Commission (EC) is designed to counter the follow of precursor chemicals into Afghanistan which are used in the illicit manufacturing of heroin.  The objective of this project is to develop a fully comprehensive precursor chemical control program with targeted objective and stated measures.  The project strategy includes:

• the identification of the key chemicals and entry points into Afghanistan;
• the development of both regional and international information analysis and exchange systems designed to target and dismantle international criminal operations;
• capacity building in terms of training and equipment for interdiction along key Afghan borders; and
• the establishment of special mobile training teams to travel to different provinces and provide training on precursor identification and control to Afghan law enforcement.

AFG/S47: Developing post-release opportunities for women and girl prisoners

Summary

The project seeks to:

1. conduct an overall assessment on types of offences, grounds of conviction and causes of imprisonment of women and girls, and a study on social and economic problems that may prevent reintegration of female prisoners back into society;
2. increase the educational and vocational skills of detained women and girls in order to facilitate their social reintegration upon release; 
3. increase the capacity of criminal justice officials to respond to the needs of detained women and girls in preparation for their release back into society;
4. enhance follow up activities and develop community-based awareness campaigns to be launched throughout the country to support social reintegration of detained women and girls.

AFG/I87: Strengthening Provincial Capacity for Drug Control

Summary

The main intention of this project is to strengthen the institutional and operational capability of the Provincial Directorates (PDs) of the Ministry of Counter Narcotics and work closely with the PDs in the respective provinces to better organize and increasingly involve them in planning, monitoring and evaluation of drug control related issues particularly Alternative Livelihoods Development (ALD) assistance. This project also intends to sustain the development of the counter narcotics capacity of the UNODC at the provincial level. By strengthening the UNODC Provincial Offices (POs), the project seeks to ensure the existence of an effective and sufficient institutional frame-work and mechanism at provincial levels, capable of providing technical support/expertise to the increasing needs of the Afghan government and aid agencies in all sectors of drug control, particularly the integration of Alternative Livelihoods (AL) analysis and elements in the development approaches. The strengthening of drug control capacity at provincial level, for MCN with UNODC support is needed to sustain the momentum of counter narcotics efforts, support the establishment of coordination network and data base unit in PDs to ensure the regular update of the Alternative Livelihoods database set up at the MCN, and support the ongoing and planned development assistance to ensure the mainstreaming of the counter-narcotics dimension and analysis into key development plans. This project revision will lead to a further extension and expansion of building, training and equipping of Provincial Directorates of MCN and UNODC provincial offices in five key provinces and it will also provide training to the farmers and launching public information campaign on Alternative Livelihoods using Mobile Teams.

AFG/I77 - Support for a Counter Narcotics Training Unit within the Afghan Police Academy

Summary

To address the interdiction of narcotics an Afghan operational counter narcotics law enforcement structure has been established within National Police Structure under the Ministry of Interior, known as the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA).  It is the intent of the German Government to construct a separate building within the compound of the Afghanistan National Police Academy to be dedicated to counter narcotics (CN) training.  It is recognized that the long-term development of the CNPA will require the establishment of a professional training mechanism that can develop and deliver a wide-ranging drug law enforcement curriculum. The training will ensure development of current staff as well as new staff to be inducted in the future. The developed training will also be delivered to other relevant police groups and agencies (e.g. regular police, border police, customs, judiciary, forensics, etc.).  Utilizing this building infrastructure, this project will develop a recognized Professional Police Training Unit with a trained and dedicated staff to carry out CN training.  The staff will continually assess and develop training curriculum to accommodate the current and future training needs of the CNPA and other relevant groups and agencies.  Delivery of training over the next four-year period will benefit from the projects financial assistance.  Basic and specialized CN courses will be delivered at international standards. This project will strengthen the capacity in drug control and related control measures.

AFG/J43 - Strengthening the operational capacity of the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan

Summary

The Counter Narcotics Police Afghanistan (CNPA) has been established by law as an independent body but within the organizational structure of the National Police of the Ministry of Interior. The CNPA is an investigative agency charged with the dismantling and/or disruption of high value narcotics targets. The CNPA does not expend funds, train, or directly enforce laws which involve poppy eradication. The three main components within the CNPA are made up of Intelligence, Investigation, and Interdiction. Current UNODC project AFG/G38 "Strengthening Counter Narcotics Law Enforcement" has supported the CNPA throughout its inception, growth, and professional development. Through this project the CNPA headquarters building in Kabul was renovated and equipped with basic office supplies. CNPA provincial offices in nine key locations were constructed (renovated), equipped, and have been handed over to the CNPA. These nine provincial key locations are in Herat, Helmand, Nimruz, Kandahar, Khost, Jalalabad, Mazar, Kunduz, and Faizabad. On 2nd August 2006 a letter was received from CNPA HQ's (See Annex-I) in Kabul which highlighted the need for additional construction of CNPA buildings to accommodate the increased number of CNPA officers as per the new Tashkeel (Organizational Structure). Additional space will be needed for the newly established Criminal Justice Task Forces and Mobile Detection Teams. The Government of Afghanistan (GoA) deems it essential to continue with this project based on lesson learned from AFG/G38 and to continue to support and strengthen the operational capacity of the CNPA. As spelled out in the original AFG/G-38 document this project was established to assist in the development of specific CNPA projects and was not designed to sustain ongoing programs once they were turned over to the CNPA. The UNODC project AFG/G38 per UNODC requirements will close in April of 2007. This closure is based upon UNODC guidelines and that all original donor funds were allocated/spent and outputs were achieved.

AFG/J55 - Establishment of regional centers for the Afghan boarder police in Nimroz Province

Summary

Nimroz is the key stone Province for opium/morphine/heroin smuggling out of Afghanistan. With its close proximity to Helmand, Kandahar and Farah Provinces which are the opium growing/collection centers and its close proximity to Baramcha District (Helmand) the major center for morphine/heroin production Nimroz is the gateway for smugglers to move opium/morphine/heroin out of Afghanistan and into Iran. To accomplish this seasoned smugglers associated with the Afghanistan Baluch tribe or the Pakistani Baluch tribe transport the processed drugs from Baramcha by cutting across either the most southern part of Nimroz or the most northern part of Pakistan east towards Iran. The drugs are then passed to the Iranian Baluch in Zahedan who continue on north towards Khash and then to Uromia (Small Iranian town near the Turkish border) for onward transportation to Turkey and then to Europe. This transportation corridor is probably the most significant opium/morphine/heroin smuggling route out of Afghanistan as is presently completely wide opened. UNODC Country Office for Afghanistan, through this project would propose building large regional border enforcement centers in the southern most region of Nimroz Province. From these regional centers well armed and well trained Mobile Detection Teams could be sent out to interdict violent and well armed smuggling transportation convoys/organizations.

AFG/R86 - Assistance in capacity building for the General Administration of Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Summary

The project's overall objective aims at strengthening the capacity of the General Administration of Anti-Bribery and Corruption (GAAC) of the Government of Afghanistan to ensure the effective implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption. The project particularly aims: (i) to ensure the identification, effective investigation and dissuasive administrative and/ or criminal sanctioning of corrupt public officials; (ii) to strengthen the operational capacity and effectiveness of the GAAC, including enhanced skills in investigations, corruption risk analysis, prevention and education, as well as the identification, tracing, seizing, and confiscation of the proceeds of corruption and related offences, and (iii) to establish and support the effective implementation of a multi-sector National Anti-Corruption Action Plan aimed at implementing the UN Convention against Corruption. The project will be implemented by the UNODC Country Office for Afghanistan within the framework of the UNODC Global Programme Against Corruption, and in collaboration with the General Administration of Anti-Bribery and Corruption.

AFG/T03 - Criminal Justice Capacity Building - Extension to the Provinces

Summary

The Government of Afghanistan is increasingly becoming aware of the necessity to reform its criminal justice system at provincial level. The planned technical assistance activities in selected provinces aim to further strengthen the institutional capacity of permanent judicial institutions, creating more favourable conditions for the provincial economic, social and political development. This project represents a follow up to the project AFG/R42 with the following main goals: (a) to construct offices for members of the justice sector and new provincial Justice Support Centres (JSC) including providing the necessary equipment, furniture; (b) to strengthen the institutional capacity of prosecutors and judges to arrest, investigate prosecute and convict criminal offenders, in particular illicit drugs related crime, through specific training and mentoring courses on criminal law and procedure at central and provincial level; and (c) to assist the legislative department of the Ministry of Justice in the revision of selected national criminal laws and procedures.