Background:

DANESH, established in 1996 under the Social Welfare Act of 1961, operates as a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Initially, its efforts were dedicated to addressing drug addiction in Quetta, particularly in Habib Nala, a hotspot for heroin abuse. From 1996 to 2001, the organization focused on providing education and support to drug addicts and their families. In 2001, the Board and management expanded DANESH’s mission to encompass a broader range of vulnerabilities faced by the community. Adopting the mission statement, “Struggling to minimize the sufferings of the vulnerable,” the organization now addresses diverse challenges affecting at-risk populations through its various initiatives.

 DANESH has been actively working in the development sector for over years, leveraging extensive experience in areas such as protection, child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), health (including HIV/AIDS, maternal and neonatal health care), drug abuse prevention, treatment, harm reduction and rehabilitation, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), microcredit, and skill development. Its initiatives are supported by the government, international donors, various UN agencies, and the community.

The organization boasts a robust physical infrastructure and a dedicated network comprising volunteers, referral partners, community-based organizations (CBOs), women's organizations, male and female protection committees, mutual support groups, peer educators, media and police officials, schoolchildren and teachers, home-based child protection committees (HBCPCs), and community-based child protection committees (CBCPCs). DANESH maintains strong coordination with government and line departments, enabling it to effectively tackle challenging tasks, even in the most hard-to-reach districts of Balochistan