Orphan-hood is associated with numerous social and psychological challenges. In Pakistan, as a response to deal with the problem of orphanhood, 0.5 million vulnerable children are living in different orphanages. The methodological triangulation method was employed to evaluate the shelter and caregivers-orphans relationship in selected orphanages of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The survey questionnaire (Child Status Index, CSI) was used to collect quantitative data. Similarly, observation method was used to gather qualitative data regarding the shelter and care facilities in the residential care facilities. Concurrent analysis was conducted in order to analyze the field data. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-V22) was used to analyze quantitative data followed by thematic analysis. The findings showed that a significant number of orphans i.e. 98.4 % were satisfied with shelter, however, some concerns on the part of the care providers were reported by the orphans i.e. 39.5 %. The Alderfer’s human need theory i.e. Existence, Relatedness, and Growth (ERG) was used to check how the results and findings of the study were consistent with the prostration-regression relationship. It is concluded that Pakistan is a lower-middle income economy. Owing to the inability to satisfy the relatedness and growth needs of the orphans and vulnerable children, the orphanages have only focused to meet the lower-level or existence needs i.e. food and shelter. The study recommends that placing orphans into residential care facility should be the last resort. Besides, qualified, well-trained, and devoted residential care staff shall be hired in all orphan care facilities across the province. The study recommends placing the students in residential care should be the last resort. All the orphanages across the province must be provided with well-trained, qualified, and devoted residential care staff. Such provision will lead to the successful reintegration and rehabilitation of the orphans and vulnerable children into their respective communities.
