PACIDA is registered to operate in Kenya and Ethiopia. It has offices in the two countries.

PACIDA IN KENYA
In Kenya, the organisation operates in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of the Northern Region of Kenya. Our current areas of operation are Marsabit County, the largest county in Kenya and Samburu County. During the peak of the Covid-19 and the 2020-2- 23 drought emergencies, the organisation also undertook humanitarian interventions in Turkana, Isiolo and West Pokot Counties.

Reality Check: Northern Kenya
Northern Kenya is among the fragile ecosystems in the region. Majority of the population in this region live beneath the poverty line. Livestock is the backbone of the economy and livelihood with limited options for diversification.

School infrastructure is minimal, with few schools and poor road access networks. The lack of infrastructure and investments and declining formal opportunities to earn an income severely impact residents’ ability to sufficiently provide food, education and healthcare for their families.

The regions cannot produce adequate food from rain-fed agriculture and are therefore exposed to frequent hunger aggravated by frequent droughts happening in short cycles.

The arid and semi-arid lands depend mainly on livestock production which is frequently adversely affected and decimated by droughts. 81% of the people are sustained by pastoralism while 16% are agro-pastoralists. 3% of the population are in employment and business.

Inter-community conflicts are common and have to some extent become an aspect of traditional pastoralist culture. The main communities commonly affected by the inter-ethnic conflicts in Northern Kenya are Gabbra, Samburu, Dasanach, Turkana, Burji, Garre, Borana and the Rendille.

PACIDA IN ETHIOPIA
In 2020, the Federal Government of Ethiopia registered PACIDA to operate in the country. Thanks to this milestone, the organisation is currently undertaking initiatives in the Southern region of Ethiopia in the area of ‘One Health’ (integrating human and livestock health) and cross-border peace programmes.