In South East Asia NPA works through partnerships of like-minded, rights based civil society organisations.  Working with partners strengthens their competencies, organisational development, and the quality of programmes intended to meet the needs of vulnerable people.  Our work focuses around two key thematic areas of the right to a land mine and UXO free environment and land and resource rights.  Secondary thematic areas include democracy and the right to participate, indigenous people's rights, and women's rights.

NPA came to Cambodia as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in 1991/1992, and identified landmine/UXO clearance as a development priority. Subsequently, NPA established a presence in Banteay Meanchey province in North West Cambodia(one of the most mine/UXO affected regions in the country). Since then, NPA has supported mine action, giving the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) technical and financial support.

In 1997, the authorities in Banteay Meanchey province requested NPA to undertake the resettlement of thousands of landless refugees. In response, NPA started an integrated community development programme.

NPA support for demining operations combined with community development projects aimed to create sustainable livelihoods for refugees, internally displaced populations and the landless. The programmes encompassed infrastructure building, farming techniques and tools, and health issues.

Seven years on these activities, initially in response to an emergency situation, were refocussed towards long-term development. With this purpose in mind, NPA has worked closely with the national demining agency - the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), and currently with 10 local and national civil society organisations.

NPA has been present in Laos since 1997, technically assisting UXO Lao - the national landmine clearance agency - in UXO disposal, community awareness, finance and quality management. Work opportunities are now being researched in Vietnam.

Who NPA cooperates with and the kind of activities supported are important factors.  NPA looks for organisations active in common thematic areas designed to improve democratisation and bring about social and economic change to benefit oppressed and neglected groups

Gender inequalities, HIV/AIDS and the unsustainable use of the environment that compound poverty and impede development are cross cutting issues considered and addressed in all NPA programmes.