JCICS joins the millions of people around the world expressing our condolences and well wishes towards the thousands who have experienced devastation from the recent natural disaster in several Southeast Asian and Eastern African countries. Many people hear of natural disasters in various parts of the world, and want to open their homes and hearts, via adoption, to children who have lived through them. While these well intentions are commendable, it is rarely possible or advisable, at least in the short term. The reasons are simple:

1. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, it is often difficult to ascertain that a child is truly an orphan. Parents may have become separated from their children in the confusion and may be in another refugee camp or just over the border. It is not ethical to place a child for adoption unless it is clear that no parent able to care for that child will be found. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will not grant an orphan visa to a child unless he/she clearly meets the definition of an eligible orphan; eligible orphan status cannot be considered if there is a possibility that a parent could provide care at the country's normal standard of acceptability and did not purposely abandon or relinquish the child.

2. Even if it is clear that a child has no parent able to care for him/her, good adoption practice requires that attempts be made to place the child with extended family, members of the community, or others in his/her birth country. Intercountry adoption is appropriate only if a child is unlikely to find a permanent, loving family in his/her birth country. A search for a domestic family may take many months in the aftermath of a disaster.  In addition, children may need to be treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and international adoption may not be in their best interest at this time. 

3. Ethical adoption practice requires that a child be considered legally relinquished or abandoned, and then legally adopted according to the laws of his/her country of citizenship. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, a country's government may be in disarray and what resources are available may be deployed on projects such as providing safe water and food, caring for the injured, burying the dead, maintaining order, etc. Thus, the courts and other entities that could handle relinquishments and adoptions may not be functioning at all, or may be giving first priority to projects in other areas. Adoption cannot proceed in such an environment.

4. In the immediate aftermath of natural or man-made disasters, an area may not be safe for travel. Occasionally, U.S. government officials who review the legitimacy of adoptions and process exit visas are unable to work safely in a country. Moreover, even if staff and families might be willing to travel, civilian air and ground transport to and within an area might be unavailable.

5. Even if a country manages to get its legal system functioning and to identify parentless children, it may not permit adoption, by law or custom. This is particularly true in countries that live by Shaaria, Islamic law, which does not recognize adoption. 

For more information on adopting children in the following countries who may already be readily available for adoption, please click on the link below:

• India

• Thailand

• Indonesia - The prospective adoptive couple must be residents of Indonesia for a minimum of 2 years.

• Sri Lanka - Prospective adoptive parents should make arrangements to stay in Sri Lanka for at least 4 to 5 weeks for the court action to be finalized. Sri Lankan law does not permit a single parent to adopt a child.

• Malaysia - Adoptions are not common; prospective adoptive parents may be required to remain in Malaysia for two or more years during the process; non-Muslims may not adopt Muslim children.

• Bangladesh - Adoption of children is not permitted under Bangladesh law, however, Bangladesh citizens are permitted to apply for guardianship of children. 

• Kenya

If you have a strong desire to parent a child, Joint Council also suggests that you consider adoption of one of the many children around the world who can be adopted. There are millions of children around the world who need permanent loving families and can be adopted and brought to the U.S. in a legal, ethical way. 

Contribute To Disaster Relief Efforts

Joint Council recommends that families wishing to aid the children of areas affected by this disaster provide other forms of assistance, via reputable relief organizations, at this time.  Visit http://www.interaction.org/, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international developmental and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations, to learn what organizations are operating relief programs.  Another listing of relief programs can be found at http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/.  The following are efforts recommended or sponsored by JCICS member organizations:

Bangalore Orphanage Disaster Relief Fund
(Children of the Nations International Adoptions, Inc.)

Project Description:  This orphanage in Bangalore, India is home to over 100 children – a number that has been growing since the disaster.  The Indian government specifically requested that this orphanage help to take in many of the children who have been left homeless.  This has caused a great amount of strain on the orphanage and staff members, as resources were already limited for the children living there.  There is no electricity or running water and none of the children have shoes or sufficient clothing.  Children of the Nations has been supporting this orphanage and sending donations for six years, but will need extra assistance in order to provide for so many children left without families or homes after the tsunami.  Money, for medicine, food and clothing is desperately needed. 
Website: www.childrenofthenations.org

Donations can be made to: 
Children of the Nations International Adoptions, Inc.
Bangalore Orphanage Disaster Relief Fund
P.O. Box 1735
New Port Richey, Florida 34656
toll free 877-752-4453

Orphan Aid in Sri Lanka
(Faith International Adoptions)

Project Description:  A team of local doctors will travel to orphanages in Sri Lanka to offer medical care and support for the many children that are pouring into orphanages.  They will also be installing water purification systems due to the prediction that waterborne diseases may claim many more lives in the coming weeks.  The team plans to travel to Sri Lanka in the third week of January and work with orphanages in and around Colombo, Sri Lanka.  Faith International Adoptions is collecting monetary donations that will go towards purchasing antibiotics, medical supplies, water, water purification systems, formula, food, clothing, housing, etc. to be distributed by the medical team.  For updates on Faith International’s work with this crisis, please see www.faithadopt.org/home/tsunami.

Some funds will go specifically towards the Lotus Buds Children’s Home (an orphanage in Colombo) which is in dire need of assistance to support the increasing number of children coming into the  home.  Therese Koelmeyer, a Faith friend of many years and the orphanage director, has asked for help in raising money.  For more information on Therese's work, please see the Lotus Buds orphanage website (http://www.lotusbuds.com/) founded and directed by Therese and her husband. Right now they are caring for dozens of children coming under their care daily.

Donations can be made to:
Faith International Adoptions
535 East Dock Street, Suite 103
Tacoma, WA 98402
faith@faithadopt.org
(253) 383-1928

*All donations are tax-deductible and %100 will go directly towards orphanages or much-needed items for the children.  Faith International will cover all administrative costs.

Medical Assistance to Banda Aceh
(American Friends Service Committee)

Project Description:  American Friends Service Committee is on the ground in Indonesia getting doctors and staff to Banda Aceh right now.  This organization attempts to work with groups that are traditionally left behind by larger aid organizations.  A link for donations and description of current projects are on their website.
Website: www.afsc.org

Donations can be made to:
AFSC Development
1501 Cherry St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(Mark envelope with AFSC/Crisis Fund)

Donations using Visa, MasterCard or American Express can be made through the website or by calling 1-888-588-2372