name: ActionAid
text: They emphasise working with local partners to make the most of local knowledge and experience. 
  
  In December 2003 they established a new head office in Johannesburg, South Africa, and began the process of making all country programmes equal partners with an equal say on how we operate. 
  
  They work with local partners to fight poverty and injustice worldwide, reaching over 13 million of the poorest and most vulnerable people over the last year alone, helping them fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, education, healthcare and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. 
  
  Their partners range from small community support groups to national alliances and international networks seeking education for all, trade justice and action against HIV/AIDS. Work with these national and international campaign networks highlights the issues that affect poor people and influences the way governments and international institutions think. 
  
  ActionAid commenced work in Afghanistan in 2002, spurred by three compelling factors. First was the obvious need for humanitarian and development assistance. Second was the potential ramifications of events in Afghanistan for people, communities and politics in Central and South Asia and beyond. Third was the potential for furthering ActionAid's learning by engaging in a 'hot' and strategically important international venue at the cusp of Central and South Asia.
  
  ActionAid's mandate is to work alongside marginalised groups in an effort to eradicate poverty. The Afghanistan programme strategy focuses on four interwoven levels of involvement: 
  
  grass roots community mobilisation activities;
  local level capacity building;
  policy analysis and influencing;
  networking and international advocacy.
  
  http://www.actionaid.org/afghanistan/