The British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development and Intercountry Adoption Services (a department of Social Development Canada that is Canada’s federal central authority in adoptions) are very concerned about the number of children left without guardians in the wake of the tsunami disaster in Asia. Both the federal and provincial governments are aware of the interest of many families in Canada in adopting these children.

Before intercountry adoptions can take place, the affected countries must determine which children are indeed orphans and have no possibility of being cared for in their country of residence. Relatives often come forward to care for orphaned children within the extended family. It is accepted international policy and practice to try first to find a home for orphaned children within their extended family and in their own country before uprooting them and placing them in a foreign country and culture. UNICEF is starting to co-ordinate with non-governmental organizations and government authorities to develop systems to identify children and reunite them with parents and other relatives.

This approach is consistent with the principles and guidelines of:

• the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and
• the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees’ Policy On Adoption of Refugee Children. [PDF]

The federal government and all provincial/territorial governments are working together so that each province/territory has measures in place to accept children orphaned by the disaster once they are legally available for adoption. Canada will then continue to work closely with the countries involved, within the parameters of each country’s legislation and policies, to arrange the adoptions as efficiently as possible. This will be done in accordance with all established intercountry policies and relevant laws.

For additional information from Social Development Canada, as well as links to information on the position that affected countries are taking with regards to children left without guardians as a result of the tsunami, please see: www.sdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/11_tsunami.shtml

For further information regarding sponsoring (as opposed to adopting) orphaned children who are your siblings, nieces, nephews and grandchildren and are under the age of 18. or for information regarding Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) actions regarding the tsunamis in Asia, please refer to CIC’s website www.ci.gc.ca/english/index.asp or call 1-800-457-5035.