Assessment of the Street Children and Orphans Component of the Pact NGO SectorEnhancement Initiative in Ethiopia

摘要

The situation of children in Ethiopia deserves particular attention from the U.S.Agency for International Development (USAID). Of its 70 million people, approximately half are children and adolescents. Poverty puts many of Ethiopia's children at high risk. In July 1997, Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF) funds were added to USAID's funding of Private Agencies Collaborating Together's (Pact) NGO Sector Enhancement Initiative. The purpose of this funding was to include in Pact's capacity building NGOs addressing the needs of orphans and street children. A total of $1 million of DCOF funds have been committed through March 30, 2002. In January and February 2000, DCOF conducted an assessment of the use of its funding. This work included discussions with relevant contacts in Addis Ababa, Mekele, Adigrat, Dessie, and Bahir Dar. Although poor and plagued by war, Ethiopia has some significant social assets. A country of ancient civilizations, briefly occupied but never colonized by European powers, it has strong religious institutions dating back to the fifth century and long-established educational traditions and institutions. The country is culturally and ethnically diverse, with more the 80 languages spoken.