Welcome to CARE Afghanistan
If you have not been in Afghanistan you may have plans to visit CARE Afghanistan in near future. The following document has been prepared to help you make the right travel plans and to guide you throughout your visit. We hope that you find it useful.
Visa
Every traveler to Afghanistan requires a valid visa. The easiest way to obtain a visa is at an Afghanistan Embassy or consulate nearest to you. Alternatively, it can be obtained en route to Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi or Islamabad. It typically takes three working days to obtain the visa, but check your local consulate office to make sure you have adequate time. For further information on afghan embassies:
http://www.afghanconsulate.com/English/Homepage.htm
In urgent cases the CARE office can assist by requesting the Ministry of Interior to approve the visa. Obtaining this approval takes about a week at the Kabul level and requires a scanned copy of the yellow vaccination book (all pages) and your passport. This approval is then sent to the Embassy in Abu Dhabi where it can be collected. Collecting the visa from the Abu Dhabi Embassy following this path, will only take an hour (i.e. you get it soon after reporting to the Embassy, as opposed to waiting three days).
Note that Abu Dhabi is only a short distance by taxi or bus from Dubai. The Embassy is closed on Fridays and Saturdays
Travel Tips
If possible, pack lightly and carry your valuables on board. Flights to Kabul are notorious for losing luggage. If you check-in your luggage make sure you have some essential toiletry and a change of clothes in your carry on. Do NOT put any perishables (fruits, veggies) in your check-in luggage.
Make sure that the country office is aware of any changes in your Kabul ETA so that a driver will be waiting for you once you arrive.
In the unlikely event that you are not met by a driver, please make sure to call one the people listed on your Security Form (page 8)or map of Kabul Airport (page 10).
Airlines
The most frequently used airlines that fly to Kabul are: Ariana or Kam Air (flying to/from India, Pakistan, UAE, Turkey, and Iran), Air India (flying to/from India), PIA (flying to/from Pakistan), Air Arabia (flying to/from UAE), and UN flights (flying to/from UAE, Pakistan).
UN flights are the most expensive and only UN and NGO employees can use them. CARE Afghanistan recommends KAM Air because they are USAID, UK Government (I believe – check) and IRC cleared; Ariana is not.
If traveling via Dubai and you need to collect your Dubai – Kabul ticket at the airport, upon arrival in Terminal 1, follow the signs to the Transfer Desk. This is where you will find the Dnata Ticket Desk where your ticket should be waiting for you (bring your confirmation number).
After collecting your ticket, go through the security check and down to the ground floor. Go to the check-in counter for Terminal 2 where flights to Kabul leave from. At the check-in counter you will be given a boarding pass and eventually you will take a shuttle to Terminal 2.
Please note that if you can enter Dubai (e.g., you have a UAE visa, or are a US or EU citizen), you can also pick up your checked-in luggage at Terminal 1 and take a taxi for about USD 10 to Terminal 2. You would then need to check-in yourself and your bags at Terminal 2 – however this significantly increases the chances of receiving your luggage upon arrival in Kabul.
You might want to consider staying at Terminal 1 for a while if you have to wait long hours. Terminal 1 has more restaurants and shops than Terminal 2, and the Marhaba Lounge located at the blue (east) end of the terminal by Gate 25, is available to all passengers 24 hours a day for a fee of USD 21.
At Kabul Airport
Expect long delays and long lines.
Anticipate that your luggage arrival might be delayed. If your luggage has not arrived, report it to the ground officer of the airline, who should write down your tag numbers attached to your ticket. He/she should give you a number to call to check on the status of your luggage.
Carts are available but are often occupied by Afghans who will approach you to offer their help in carrying your luggage. Depending on your load, $1 or $2 (=50 or 100 Afs) is the tip they expect for their service (you can pay in US dollars).
Due to the evolving security protocols, CARE drivers may or may not be able to meet you at the gate, so it is best to know where to go if you are not met by the driver. (The numbers below correspond with the numbers found on your map of Kabul Airport on page 13)
Once you exit the airport building (1), you will be in the area where only the diplomats’ cars are allowed (2). Follow the crowd (the arrows on your map) to the left of the square. This leads you to the first parking lot where UN and government officials are allowed to park (3). You will most likely be met by many taxi drivers who will offer to take your luggage and take you to their car. Don’t take a taxi.
Passing a metal gate to the right (6), you will enter the last parking area (4) where you will find a restaurant (5) immediately to the right. This is a good place to relax and drink a cup of tea if you have to wait for your ride. Beyond this gate you should be able to find the CARE driver.
If the driver is not there, call one of the numbers that is listed on your Security Form. If you don’t have access to a phone, see if you can borrow one or just wait. Your destination is: Shar-e-Naw, next to Hanzala Mosque, CARE Office. (In Dari: Shahr-e-Naw, Pahlooye masjide Hanzala, Daftare CARE). The Office is recognizable by its large brownish-red metal car gate.
CARE Office and Guesthouse Locations
CARE office and guesthouse are located in Shahr-e-Naw (District 10). This is a residential area and is considered to be a fairly calm and safe area in Kabul.
The guesthouse provides laundry services and meals for USD 1, 2, 2 for breakfast, lunch and dinner, respectively. Please make sure that you pay prior to each meal. Please note that you will be charged the relevant fee unless you inform the cook that you won’t be eating at the guesthouse.
There are many restaurants and shopping areas in close vicinity of CARE facilities. A list of restaurants is attached to this document only as a guideline to what is available. You are free to go to any other restaurant that is not on the list.
Flights from Kabul (International or Domestic)
Please remember that most flights tend to be overbooked, so make sure that any tickets to be procured locally are purchased as far in advance as possible. For the same reason, it is usually impossible to change bookings at the last minute. Travel plans therefore have to be confirmed in advance almost immediately after arrival in Kabul.
Confirmation of local flights which may have been booked abroad is especially important. Often such bookings don’t make their way onto local airline lists.
Billing and Payments
Please notify the Admin Department (located on the second floor) at least one working day before your departure for all due payments. Guesthouse food payment, however, should be made directly to the “guesthouse manager” daily.
All bills should be paid directly to the Assistant Accountant (Cashier). Payments can be made in cash or travellers checks payable to CARE. Please note that CARE is not able to accept credit cards.
Planning and Debriefing
Upon your arrival at CARE office, you will participate in a security briefing which aims at informing visitors of the latest security issues.
To help you get the most out of your visit, CARE encourages you to participate in an initial meeting with CARE staff at the start of your mission to coordinate, fine-tune and update your schedule and to discus any support and services that might be provided by CARE. It is also useful to spend at least 30 minutes to debrief the staff at the end of your visit.
Administrative Support that CARE Can Provide
- Airport pick up and drop off / hotel arrangements (please note the departure taxes apply at the airport)
- Office support including, providing work space, computer, cell phone, radio, scheduling appointments, and arranging workshops and seminars (you are expected to return all items to Admin before departure.)
- If you need a laptop during your stay in Afghanistan, it is best to book one using the Service Request Form, at least a day in advance. (CARE will provide requested software only if available.)
- Travel arrangements (Domestic & International)
- Preparation and Administration of Local Contracts
- Security
- Clearance of personal shipments
- Packing and shipping of personal items
- Issuance and extension of multiple visas
- Follow up on lost luggage
- Clearance of personally owned equipment
- Local procurement
- Re-entry briefings
- Pre-departure briefings
Financial Support that CARE Can Provide
- Arranging payments for operation expenditure
- Invoicing and cost recovery
- Contracts management and reporting
- Assistance in Audit and Evaluation
- Information on funds status
Transportation
CARE vehicles are available for official local use in Kabul and for use within the provinces. For long distance travel, it is more effective to fly then rent a vehicle locally at the destination point. Vehicles can be provided in locations where CARE has offices outside of Kabul City.
Local driving standards are generally poor and most vehicles are badly maintained. CARE does not allow expatriates to drive in Afghanistan, but rather asks them to use CARE vehicles and drivers.
Please note that:
- It is CARE policy for passengers to wear seatbelts while in CARE vehicles
- Do not travel in local buses
- Do not travel alone at night.
Places to Visit
For a day of fresh air and nature, head north to the Shomali area, west to the Qargha Dam Paghman, or stay close by to Bag-e-Bala.
To do some window or actual shopping go to Chicken Street where many international visitors can find a range of souvenirs to take back home. The downside however is that the pool of beggars that follow all who look foreign. (All potential buyers are expected to bargain heavily.)
Also Kabul Museum and Kabul Zoo will offer a unique opportunity for those who like a cultural experience.
Words of Wisdom
- It is best to drink bottled water since tap water is often unsafe to drink, especially for those who are not used to it. In addition, please try to eat well cooked food and avoid salads or other uncooked food.
- Appointments with Senior Government Officials have to be made well in advance. Please confirm all your appointments at least one day in advance. CARE Admin can assist you with this.
- It is advisable to not shake hands with the opposite sex unless they offer to do so.
- Always show appropriate formality and respect, especially toward elders.
- Show appropriate respect during times of prayer. Do not pass directly in front of or disturb someone who is praying.
- Do not drink alcohol in public.
- Exercise caution when taking photographs, particularly of women. If in doubt ask permission first.
- Avoid any action that could appear overly forward or flirtatious. This may include directly addressing a woman or looking at her for too long. Respect the Afghan culture and religion by not getting too close to the opposite sex.
- Do not travel alone at night.
- Avoid wearing tight and revealing clothing. For women, it is best to lightly cover their hair on the street or in the car.
- Out of respect, refrain from eating in public in the daytime during the month of Ramadan (14 Sep to 13 Oct, 2007)
Useful Information
- Dollar is widely accepted in Kabul ($1 = Afs 50).
- ATM machines are available at the Kabul Airport, the Afghanistan Bank, Kabul Bank, AIB, Standard Chartered Bank, and Azizi Bank. Some banks charge a high fee for their services, so it is good to check before using the machines. Most CARE drivers know where these banks are and can take you to it.
- Admin staff can assist you to change money.
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