Nomadic pastoralist communites live in some of the harshest and most isolated areas in Africa.
They are often beyond the reach of any public services.
They move around in search of pasture for their livestock, central to their livelihoods and the basis of their culture.
Rather than encouraging nomads to stay in one place, AMREF develops innovative solutions to adapt to their traditional lifestyles. We train community health workers among the nomadic groups and provide mobile health clinics along the migratory routes.
Nomadic pastoralists have low literacy rates due to lack of educational facilities and cultural traditions. Taking this into account, AMREF uses picture-led health education materials. We also make sure that these materials are culturally specific and will be relevant for the people they are intended to serve.
Livestock is of paramount importance to nomadic communities, so AMREF ensures that water is provided for both human beings and animals.
AMREF works with nomadic pastoralists in Turkana and Kajiado in Kenya, and South Omo and Afar in Ethiopia.
Projects and stories
- South Omo, Ethiopia
- Preventing malaria in Afar, Ethiopia
- Turkana, Kenya
