Peace Building
Transforming conflict, promoting social reconciliation and countering violent extremism across the Mandera Triangle.
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Mandera Triangle · Kenya · Somalia · Ethiopia
Building peace, resilience & hope across the Horn of Africa.
We promote peaceful living with dignity, respect, hope and humility — working hand in hand with communities and local authorities where conflict, drought and poverty meet.
Rooted in community since 2019
Registered in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia
3 countries5 field offices
Peace Building✦
Women & Youth Empowerment✦
Human Rights Advocacy✦
Climate Resilience✦
Countering Violent Extremism✦
Serving communities since
2019
Who we are
Building resilience, peace & transformation
VOPA is a non-profit organisation registered in 2019 as a Community-Based Organisation with Kenya's Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection (Reg. No. M/L/010/2019).
We are also registered with the Federal Government of Ethiopia (Reg. No. 6518) and at district level in Elwak and Bellet Hawa, Gedo Region, Somalia. With competent staff, we work closely with local authorities and communities, constantly strengthening our capacity through reflection and self-directed improvement.
- Offices in Mandera & Elwak, Kenya
- Mubarak office covering Ethiopia
- Elwak & Bellet Hawa, Somalia
- Programmes across Jubbaland
3+
Countries served
5+
Field offices
50+
Youth trained in brick technology
6+
Women's groups equipped
We are on a mission
To create lasting solutions for peace and development
From cross-border peace dialogues to women-led businesses and rangeland restoration, we pair local knowledge with practical action that lasts.
Better World
Our Vision
A better Horn of Africa — peaceful, where climate excesses are mitigated, and a place for all peoples to live and thrive.
Better Life
Our Promise
A future where no one goes to bed hungry, every child goes to school, and everyone has the opportunity for personal growth.
What we do
Four intervention areas, one goal: lasting peace
Our programmes reinforce each other — peace makes livelihoods possible, livelihoods reduce conflict, and resilient land sustains both.
- 01 Peace Building
- 02 Youth & Women Empowerment
- 03 Human Rights Advocacy
- 04 Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation
Youth & Women Empowerment
Empowering women and youth through access to finance, vocational skills and entrepreneurship programmes.
Learn moreHuman Rights Advocacy
Countering gender-based violence and FGM, and championing every girl's right to an education.
Learn moreClimate Change Adaptation & Mitigation
Rangeland management, livelihood diversification and clean energy for pastoralist communities.
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We envision a Horn of Africa where peace is the norm, the land is resilient, and every person can live with dignity.
— Voice of Peace for All in the Horn of Africa
VOPA on the ground
Successful & ongoing projects
Completed
Elwak & Boruhache, Gedo, Somalia
Cross-Border Peace Dialogues in the Gedo Region
Mediation between the Garre–Marehan and intra-Marehan communities that led to ceasefires, reconciliation and…
Completed
Mandera County, Kenya
Business Start-Up Kits for Cross-Border Women's Groups
Training and equipping six cross-border women's groups with start-up kits so they can run their own food and…
Completed
Mandera, Kenya
Interlocking Brick Technology for Cross-Border Youth
In April 2022, 50 cross-border youth were trained to produce interlocking bricks and received machines as…
Ongoing
Mandera County, Kenya
Keeping Girls in School: Girl Child Education Advocacy
Community awareness and advocacy so that every girl in Mandera can enrol, stay in school and complete her…
Ongoing
Mandera County & Dawa Zone
Community Dialogues to End FGM and Gender-Based Violence
Awareness, advocacy and safe reporting pathways to end female genital mutilation and gender-based violence.
Ongoing
Mandera, Kenya & Dawa Zone, Ethiopia
Rangeland Reseeding and Fodder Production
Restoring degraded rangelands and growing fodder so herds — and the families who depend on them — survive the…
Ongoing
Mandera Triangle
Water Harvesting for Drought Resilience
Capturing scarce rainfall for people, livestock and crops so communities can withstand recurring drought.
Planned
Mandera County, Kenya
Clean Energy: Biogas and Solar for Rural Households
Small-scale biogas plants and solar solutions to replace charcoal and firewood, protecting trees and family…
Where we work
The Mandera Triangle and beyond
Where Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia meet — home to millions of resilient pastoralists facing shrinking grazing lands, conflict and climate shocks.
VOPA targets the whole of Mandera County and Moyale in Marsabit County, Kenya. In Somalia we work in Elwak and Bellet Hawa districts, while in Ethiopia we work in Mubarak, Lahey, Kadaduma and Moyale districts of the Dawa Zone.
These communities are among the most vulnerable in the region — frequently exposed to climate change and environmental degradation, armed conflict, and political, economic and food crises. Pastoralists here are remarkably resilient, yet constantly face shocks from drought, resource-based conflict, poverty and disease outbreaks.
Kenya
Somalia
Ethiopia
VOPA has seven board members who provide overall direction and meet bi-annually to review progress and pursue new opportunities. Our management structure encourages flexibility and autonomy, creating space for creativity and innovation while ensuring maximum accountability and high-quality output.
Key management organs include the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager, Programme Officers, Admin/HR and Finance, supported by field staff. Our systems include a Financial Policy, Procurement Policy, Human Resource Development Policy, Security Policy, M&E Plan and Project Implementation Policy.
VOPA is a non-profit organisation that depends on local and international donors to carry out its programmes and support vulnerable communities.
To raise the required resources, we undertake problem-scoping assessments that inform — and form the basis of — funding proposals submitted to donors and partners for effective interventions. Our peace work has been supported through Peace II, BORDER I & II and the SHIIR Program under PACT.
Voices from the community
Real change, in their own words
VOPA's advocacy for girl child education has helped many girls in our community enrol in school and pursue their dreams.
The microfinance programme empowered me to start a business and provide for my family. Today my children are in school.
I am grateful for the entrepreneurship programme that has helped me become financially stable and support others.
Stories & insights
All Stories
Latest from the field
Gender-Based Violence in Northern Kenya: Breaking the Silence
Gender-based violence is a human rights violation that thrives on silence. In northern Kenya, communities are finding…
Read storyTrauma Healing in Conflict-Affected Communities: Why Peace Must Also Heal
A signed peace agreement can stop the fighting. But unhealed trauma can restart it. Lasting peace must also heal hearts.
Read storyWater Harvesting Techniques That Help Arid Communities Survive Drought
Rain in the drylands is scarce and short-lived. Capturing every drop can mean the difference between staying and…
Read story
Join us today
Your support turns hope into real change.
Give financially or in kind, partner with us, or volunteer your skills. Every contribution helps a family in the Horn of Africa live with dignity.