This report provides a comprehensive assessment of irregular child migration from Ethiopia based on a case study in five regions: Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR) and Dire Dawa. The report first provides an insight into the characteristics of child migration patterns from Ethiopia, with an analysis of the socioeconomic profile of child migrants, the driving forces for irregular child migration, and the children’s migratory routes and decision making processes. Furthermore, the study elaborates on the vulnerabilities of unaccompanied migrant children and the various protection risks they face during their migration journeys, in countries of transit and upon arrival in the destination countries. The report also presents data on existing support mechanisms and concludes by providing recommendations for policymaking and programming to address the special protection concerns of child migrants. These recommendations cover services and activities in the areas of prevention, protection and reintegration, and suggestions for the development of an integrated multidisciplinary response to address irregular migration of unaccompanied migrant children.

Report's specific objectives:

1. Identify the root causes of migration and re-migration including socioeconomic factors (livelihood/employment/education opportunities, relevance of reintegration activities, etc.), environmental factors, protection needs and risks, psychosocial needs, gender, cultural/ traditional and religious values and practices, and access to services such as education, legal counseling and health care.
2. Identify the actors and factors shaping the decision-making process of child migration.
3. Understand the migratory routes taken by child migrants in the identified areas.
4. Identify the type of protection risks child migrants and returnee migrants face, and the determinants of vulnerability and protection risks of child migrants; understand whether these factors have an impact on the decision to migrate or re-migrate.
5. Map existing/potential partners such as community-based organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations working on issues related to child migration.