The
human tragedy associated with the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December
26, 2004 will have repercussions for decades to come – especially with
respect to the children who have been hurt, displaced, orphaned or
traumatized by the events. HOWEVER, issues of
international adoption of these children will not be addressed for some time.
Please
consider:
·
the
status of each child as an orphan must be determined,
·
many
children may have been separated from their parents and relatives but are
being actively sought,
·
many
of the children are in post traumatic shock and cannot identify themselves
properly,
·
each
government has to implement its own procedures for assistance to these
children,
·
the
United States Department of State must approve the status of the child for
adoption into the United
States, and
·
care
must be given to the cultural, religious, and emotional needs of the children
on an individual basis.
