When I post in the next few weeks about Haiti I will have a more personal view of what is happening in this country. We have family that will spend the next two weeks ministering in this area. I am hoping to meet with them soon after they return and bring a report to you.
For now the information regarding adoption in Haiti is fairly similar to what was reported in the last post. The need continues and adoption is open. A recent post (January 31, 2011) on the Joint Council’s website said: Haiti’s adoption authority, the Institut du Bie-etre Social et de Recherches(IBESR), has informed the U.S. Government that they are accepting new adoption applications for Haitian children who are either documented as orphans or who have been relinquished by their birth parent(s). The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has also resumed normal visa processing. However, prospective adoptive parents should be aware that the already frail adoptions infrastructure in Haiti has been further taxed by the earthquake, creating displacement and family separations that make practical and legal determinations of orphans or abandoned status extremely difficult and create additional challenges to adoptive families.
We encourage prospective adoptive parents to verify that their application is being processed in accordance with Haitian legal requirements and the procedures established by IBESR.
It is of great importance for anyone who is desiring to adopt from Haiti to be fully educated. Haiti’s adoption program was not strong before the devastation of the earthquake. So in the aftermath of such a tragedy, organization and documentation are difficult to find. There is a great need in Haiti and I am certain that many people are working tirelessly to complete the necessary document for the children who are truly orphaned but caution must be in place on the part of the adoptive family. Check out the Joint Council’s website for reputable agencies that work out of Haiti. The joy of adoption and forever families should not be marred by the chaos and confusion of mishandling and incorrect paperwork.
I look forward to bringing you an in-depth look at the conditions in Haiti and what is being done there.
~Angie
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