Agency for Cross Border Pastoralists Development (APaD) transitioned in September 2019 to an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) after operating as a Community Based Organization (CBO) since its formation and registration in 2002. with its headquarters in Lodwar, Turkana County. It implements programs in Turkana and West Pokot Counties and across the Ethiopian, Ugandan and South Sudan borders.

It focuses on the economic, environmental, education, climate change adaptation and social issues impacting the pastoralist communities of Turkana County, West Pokot County, and the cross-border regions of Ethiopia, South Sudan and North Eastern Uganda.  

Specifically, APaD addresses the continued marginalization of pastoralist communities in the region through advocacy to address inadequate and lack of physical infrastructure and facilities, limited access to social and health services, low levels of public affairs, continuous insecurity, high levels of illiteracy, exploitation of natural resources and depletion of livelihoods.

The main thrust of the organization is securing rights of the poor and marginalized, good governance, sustainable livelihood development through promoting people’s participation at all levels of the society, accountability, capacity development and access to resources. Special emphasis is given to women’s participation and in building their capacity towards disaster risk mitigation and resilience. Networking at various levels and advocacy are the important tools of APaD’s programmatic implementation approach.