Benin

US State child welfare administrators had started planning for a possible influx of Haitian children orphaned by the catastrophic quake, but now are being told there will be no such exodus.

Deputy Executive Director Hilde Johnson calls for all unaccompanied and/or separated children to be registered, traced and reunited with family where possible and appropriate. This includes children who were in alternative care, such as in crèches and “orphanages”, prior to the earthquake.

Call for humanitarian response to uphold recommendations set forth in the Guidelines for Alternative Care in regards to care for children in emergencies, preventing family separation and promoting family based care in their community of origin where possible.

Statement noting potential dangers associated with ICA in emergencies with specific reference to risk of family separation.

Opinion editorial on risks associated with using intercountry adoption as an emergency response to the needs of children in Haiti.

Guidance on use of early psychosocial interventions in humanitarian responses to help to mitigate the effect of trauma, alleviating psychological distress, and strengthen resiliency.

Discusses risks associated with using adoption in emergency settings. Additional consideration given on where adoptions can be safely and appropriately facilitated for children with adoptions underway prior to the earthquake.

Online update on concerns around promoting adoption in an emergency context.

"The desire of the Haitian people, to the extent that this can be done, is for the children to be cared for in Haiti…That is their preference"

Member agencies of the Disasters Emergency Committee are calling for international focus to remain on reuniting children who have lost their families during the earthquake in Haiti rather than adopting them out of the country.