A chilling new investigative study has sent shockwaves through Ethiopia, uncovering a level of cruelty that defies basic human decency. The report reveals a systematic criminal network where children are deliberately and permanently blinded to make them “more effective” at soliciting alms. Released on February 10, 2018 (Ethiopian Calendar) at the Sheraton Addis Hotel, the study highlights how illegal traffickers are weaponizing disability to exploit public sympathy, turning a traditional act of charity into a lucrative and blood-soaked industry.
The findings, compiled by the Population Council, detail the harrowing methods used by traffickers to ensure a child’s “suitability” for the streets. In a practice that local investigators describe as demonic, traffickers frequently apply corrosive chemicals or dangerous liquids to the eyes of healthy children under the guise of “medicine.” These substances cause irreversible damage, leaving the victims completely blind. This intentional disfigurement is calculated to maximize the pity of passersby, thereby increasing the daily revenue generated for the traffickers who control them.
Beyond the physical mutilation, the study paints a grim picture of daily life for these survivors in major urban centers like Addis Ababa, Mekelle, and Dire Dawa. Victims are forced to work grueling shifts, often starting as early as 4:00 AM and continuing until 9:00 PM. Every cent collected is seized by the “handlers,” leaving the children in a state of perpetual hunger and fear. Survivors interviewed for the report shared accounts of being followed and spied on by their captors to ensure they did not keep any money for themselves, with failures to meet daily quotas resulting in severe beatings or further physical torture.
Perhaps most disturbing is the breakdown of the very systems meant to protect these vulnerable citizens. The report sheds light on the deep-seated negligence within some segments of the security forces. Researchers documented instances where witnesses attempting to report these crimes were met with apathy or hostility from police officers. In several recorded cases, officers reportedly told whistleblowers to “mind their own business” or asked why they were “so concerned about another person’s affairs.” This lack of accountability has allowed the trafficking rings to operate with near-total impunity in broad daylight.
The path into this nightmare often begins with deception in rural communities. The study found that most victims are trafficked from the Ethiopian countryside, where brokers—sometimes even distant relatives—approach impoverished families with promises of a better life. Parents are told their children will receive an education or medical treatment for minor ailments in the city. Instead, these children are sold into a cycle of domestic slavery and forced begging. Once they reach the urban centers, they are subjected to death threats and constant surveillance, making escape nearly impossible for a child who has been robbed of their sight.
Addressing this crisis requires more than just public outrage; it demands a fundamental shift in the national approach to human trafficking and disability. The Population Council and its partners have called for an immediate escalation in law enforcement training to help officers recognize the subtle signs of forced begging. The report also emphasizes the desperate need for specialized rehabilitation centers. Currently, there are few facilities equipped to handle the unique psychological and physical trauma of children who have been intentionally blinded by their captors, leaving survivors with nowhere to turn even if they manage to break free.
As the details of the study continue to circulate, there is a growing call for a nationwide awareness campaign to dismantle the myths surrounding street begging. Experts argue that the public must be educated on the “supply chain” of their charity, as well-meaning donations are the primary fuel for these criminal enterprises. By strengthening legal frameworks and closing the gaps in rural-to-urban trafficking routes, advocates hope to end a practice that has turned the streets of Ethiopia into a theater of hidden atrocities.