Begging in a Fast-Growing City: Impacts and Measures in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Despite tremendous developments the world has been witnessing, begging has become global phenomena and more pervasive in developing countries like Ethiopia. To contribute its part in understanding and dealing with it, this study examined impacts and measures of begging in Bahir Dar city by collecting data from 98 participants drawn, using convenience, and purposive sampling and census, from governmental, non-governmental, and community based and religious organizations; the public, beggars, tourists and a tour guide. It employed mixed research methods, cross sectional and approximating cross sectional with longitudinal designs and an integrated vulnerability model. Descriptive survey and thematic analysis were employed to analyze the collected data.

The study found that beggars live in degrading social life; marginal levels of economic activities and poor access to many of basic services of the urban life. By obstructing traffic flow and the flow of tourists in particular; and participating in deviant and criminal acts, beggars in the city also presented pressing negative health impacts for residents; impeded city government's plan to create defecation free city of Bahir Dar. However, dealing with begging in the city is at a nascent stage with the involvement of only one non-governmental organization and continual shift of responsibility to different bodies; poor coordination among many and lack of it with some on top of the application of sporadic, inconsistent and incomprehensive measures taken by the government. As human labor and land resources are officially recognized as the two key development sources of Ethiopia, multifaceted impacts of begging needs to be adequately and timely responded pursuant to individual and national needs.