Overseas adoption unsuitable for tsunami orphans
Adoption groups are advising it is unlikely children orphaned by the Asian tsunami disaster would be repatriated to Australia.
Agencies including Centrelink and support groups in the ACT have received calls and emails from people wishing to adopt victims of the earthquake event.
Julia Rollings, from the Adoptive Families Association, says it is often inappropriate for children affected by war and natural disaster to be adopted overseas.
She says the inquiries are well-meaning but are often unrealistic, especially in the short-term.
"Inter-country adoption is only appropriate for children who can't be placed in a suitable family within the country of origin," she said.
"So there's a lot of steps that have to be taken first before they decide that inter-country adoption is appropriate for any of these orphans."
Unicef Australia chief executive Carolyn Hardy says her organisation will not support or encourage inter-country adoptions.
"We believe children are best left where they are in environments that are familiar to them, in a culture that's familiar to them, speaking a language that they know, and in the schools that they're already going to," she said.
"To uplift them out of their country to Australia or anywhere else would be an absolute last resort."
Source: ABC News, Australia
Agencies including Centrelink and support groups in the ACT have received calls and emails from people wishing to adopt victims of the earthquake event.
Julia Rollings, from the Adoptive Families Association, says it is often inappropriate for children affected by war and natural disaster to be adopted overseas.
She says the inquiries are well-meaning but are often unrealistic, especially in the short-term.
"Inter-country adoption is only appropriate for children who can't be placed in a suitable family within the country of origin," she said.
"So there's a lot of steps that have to be taken first before they decide that inter-country adoption is appropriate for any of these orphans."
Unicef Australia chief executive Carolyn Hardy says her organisation will not support or encourage inter-country adoptions.
"We believe children are best left where they are in environments that are familiar to them, in a culture that's familiar to them, speaking a language that they know, and in the schools that they're already going to," she said.
"To uplift them out of their country to Australia or anywhere else would be an absolute last resort."
Source: ABC News, Australia
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Hello,
I believe these Children have been traumatized enough, to uproot them from their own Country would only add to their trauma. I think these Children would be better off to stay in their home land where everything is familiar, well.... more familiar then being in a strange Home in a strange Country, with strangers that don't even speak their language.
I pray everyday that these people who have had to endure so much, be given as much help as the world can afford. I do not mean Millions of Dollars, I am talking Billions of dollars. They Need all the help they can get, I would rather have my Tax Dollars go to these people to try to save lives, then to go into a war effort that takes lives. I ask God to "Bless" each and everyone of the Victims and help them to find peace in their hearts.
God Bless all that are working around the clock to save these devastated people of Asia.
can these children be adopted in india with indian families they would feel very much at home with a familyand young children of there age group.
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I think the children in Indonesia could still be adopted in neighbouring countries like Malaysia or Singapore, where the language and to a certain extent, cultural barriers aren't too distinct.
Being a Muslim, I'm sensitive to the idea of non-Muslims adopting Muslim children. Of course humanitarian concerns are very important but I'm also mindful of their spiritual well being. Therefore, the people of the neighbouring countries should have first option if adoption becomes a reality.
That said, I agree that all efforts should be in securing their futures in their own country. They may have relatives in other parts of the country, although not all may be able to afford to adopt these orphans. However, Indonesia still has a sizable population who can afford and willing to adopt these children.