Orphans and other vulnerable children affected by various crises, that is, those who have not yet lost a dying parent but are nonetheless caring for them, or children living in a household that has fostered orphans, or fostered themselves are ever increasing in number and therefore need attention and support.

This briefing note summarizes what is known about the scale and causes of homelessness and orphanage in Addis Ababa and other big cities in Ethiopia, the characteristics of homeless children and adults, and their access to services and assistance. The information is drawn from a 2018 study on service delivery for destitute households in Addis Ababa carried out by Development Pathways on behalf of UNICEF Ethiopia and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The research included an in-depth literature review, secondary analysis of survey datasets, and qualitative field research in the Ethiopia. Individuals and families living on the street; officials from the federal, city, sub-city and woreda administrations; NGOs and community-based organizations; and frontline workers involved in service delivery. A narrow definition of homelessness was employed, focusing on individuals or families with no land or house and not the broader group of people in substandard accommodation.

The number of orphan children in Ethiopia is said to be constantly rising. Apart from several other socio-economic reasons, incidents such as family problem/divorce, war, HIV, Covid -19, famine, periodical floods including the super floods, terrorist attacks and blasts and road accidents multiplied the number further, mainly in the last couple of decades. Most of these children have lost either one or both of the parents were died.

The situation of children in Ethiopia is, Ethiopia is home to about 13 million children under 5 years of age – approximately 16 per cent of the total population of 96 million. By 2050, Ethiopia will have 58 million children less than 18 years (6% of Africa).

The orphan children without any other member of their family to care depend on alternative modes of care such as orphanages. It is likely that children deprived of special care may fall victim to child abuse, beggary, trafficking, child labour, juvenile delinquency and other anti-social behaviors. In Ethiopia, some children are enrolled in CCCs because their primary care givers are no longer alive, but there are many others reasons. In case of parental divorce or separation, single mother or father or facing extreme poverty, parents find themselves unable to raise their kids appropriately; one or both of their parents were killed by war, etc. Many children may run away from homes because of domestic or school violence and end upon streets and other public places where from they are enrolled in one or another orphanage/ CCC. It is widely recognized that children without parental care are at a higher risk of discrimination, inadequate care, abuse and exploitation. Family-based care is frequently emphasized in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 1989. Ethiopia has signed and ratified CRC in 1990 and claims of its commitment to uphold the principles of child nourishment and care as envisaged in CRC. However, there is very little comprehensive legislation for the protection of children without parental care. Even where there is some legislation, institutional mechanisms and support is very little.

In the orphanage center sector of the economy, the multi- purpose in the one becoming rapidly expanding in Addis Ababa and other big cities since problems are being escalating the situation requires the construction of child care center and orphan center in Gondar city to support the displaced children because of war that is going to in Northern Ethiopia. 

To this effect, the owner of the envisioned child care center and orphan center Ms Banchamelak Yelema who has been living for long time outside Ethiopia, planned to construct in Gondarcity and undertaken this project study to check the technical and financial feasibility of this project. The promoter is very ambitious and committed to realize the project. Hence, they expect to get the necessary support from the city administration to make the project to be operational.

Besides, the government policies and incentives for the private sector investment are very promising that motivates the promoter to engaged in child care center and orphan centers for those children who were lost their one or both parents due to war that is going in Northern part of Ethiopia.

Banchi Children Care Center is a philanthropic, not-for-profit organization with ONE Mission – To improve the lives of orphans in Amhara regional state, Gondar city through advocacy, education, and the financial support of agencies and individuals fighting the orphan crisis on the ground. 

Due to war, poverty, Covid -19, HIV, chronic illness and/or lack of women empowerment programs, there are more than 250,000 vulnerable children ranging from infant to 18 years of age in Amhara regional state.

International adoption was a partial remedy for years, but the Ethiopian Parliament recently banned such adoptions. This caused hundreds of private orphanages to have to close their doors due to a lack of funding. The children in these private orphanages were turned onto the streets or placed in government orphanages which were already at maximum capacity creating environments that struggled to provide basic and emotional needs.