The Naunehal Development Organisation (NDO) is a grass-roots, community based organisation that has been working in the valley of Nagar, Gilgit District Northern Areas since the early eighties. NDO has established co-education schools, a hospital and a women's centre. The organisation is structured with 37 members, from which a board of 14 people are drawn. The board elects the Chairperson on an annual basis.

Funding support has been drawn from a range of donors over time including the World Wildlife Fund, International Union for Conservation of Nature, the World Bank, the Government of Japan and the Aga Khan Development Network. The current NDO five year plan has a focus on female education and women's improvement.

The Nagar Valley is situated in the mountainous Hindu Kush ranges and has an average altitude of 4,500m. The region has a population of 90,000 people, a majority of whom are Shia Muslims. Farming is a source of income and subsistence living in the Nagar Valley. Crops include wheat, maize, potatoes and fruit such as apricots, apples and cherries. Tourism is also important in the region which is famous for mountain peaks and glaciers. The 37th highest mountain in the world is located in the area, Mt Rakaposhi which is 7,788m high.

Naunehal is the only representative organization operating widely at a community level for the people of Nagar.

In brief, the main objectives of the Friends of Naunehal group are:

• To increase understanding and contact between Pakistani people and Australian people;
• To take the lead from Naunehal on their needs and provide support for their community aspirations as best as possible;
• To provide stable and committed support to Naunehal with no strings attached;
• To undertake open and thoughtful dialogue amongst the Australian network and with our Pakistani colleagues.

We are small and we are not tax deductible. Our group relies on strong relationships and trust.