2nd Quarterly Report, October – December 2015: Peaceful Empowerment in Arid Lands FY 2015 Q4 PROGRESS REPORT

The program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), focuses on building peace and reconciliation in the region. During the second quarter of 2015, significant progress was made in implementing the program's objectives. A baseline survey was completed, and 120 peace actors were trained in peacebuilding techniques. These peace actors have started conducting community peace dialogues, with some engaging in negotiation and mediation work. Two community dialogues were organized, reaching a total of 250 people, of whom 96 were women. The program's performance data indicates that 120 peace actors were trained, with 33 women and 87 men participating. The training focused on strengthening local mechanisms, such as Peace Committees and Early Warning Early Response (EWER) systems, to manage land, natural resources, and security. The program also facilitated intra- and inter-community dialogues to address community resource use patterns, environmental conditions, and conflict dynamics. In terms of geographic location, the program's activities were concentrated in West Pokot and Turkana counties. In West Pokot, 30 peace actors were trained, and 58 people attended intra-community dialogues. In Turkana, 30 peace actors were trained, and 72 people attended intra-community dialogues. The program's activities in both counties aimed to strengthen understanding and mitigate conflict between groups. The program's impact on local women, youth, and marginalized individuals was also significant. A total of 525 people attended USG-assisted facilitated events geared towards strengthening understanding and mitigating conflict between groups. Of these, 210 were women, and 315 were men. The program's activities in both counties aimed to empower local women, youth, and marginalized individuals to participate in peacebuilding efforts. The program's performance monitoring plan (PMP) is designed to track progress towards the program's objectives. The PMP includes indicators such as the number of people participating in USG-supported events, trainings, or activities designed to build mass support for peace and reconciliation. The program's progress is monitored regularly, and adjustments are made as necessary to ensure that the program remains on track to meet its objectives. The program's sustainability and exit strategy are also being developed. The program aims to ensure that the peacebuilding efforts initiated during the program's implementation period are sustained beyond the program's end date. This will be achieved through the establishment of a local peacebuilding network that can continue to support peacebuilding efforts in the region. Overall, the PEARL program has made significant progress in implementing its objectives and has a strong foundation for continued success. The program's focus on building peace and reconciliation in Northwestern Kenya is critical to promoting stability and prosperity in the region.