The Tapestry Blog

Responding to the Needs of Orphans in Haiti

Posted on January 19, 2010 by The Tapestry Team

Over the past several days we’ve heard from many people inquiring about how they can best help those whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake in Haiti.  Many have also inquired about serving the most vulnerable victims of this disaster, the children, through adoption or temporary care.  Here are a few important things to keep in mind as you and your family pray about how God would have you respond.

The most pressing needs in Haiti right now must be addressed by prayer and rapid, emergency relief efforts.  As you continue to pray for those who have been impacted by this disaster as well as for those who are responding, please consider giving to the emergency relief efforts.  Click here for a list of some of the many reputable Christian organizations that are responding to the crisis in Haiti to serve children.  For those who are part of the Irving Bible Church community, you can stay informed about IBC’s response here.

Regarding the issue of adoption or temporary care for the orphans in Haiti, the U.S. government has already granted humanitarian parole for certain Haitian adoptions that were already in process.  One of the best places for reliable information relating to Haitian adoptions (as well as international adoption in general) is the Joint Council on International Children’s Services. 

If you are considering starting a new Haitian adoption process, we would encourage you to wait.  While that may seem counter-intuitive in the face of such a crisis with so many children orphaned and in need, there is good reason for this approach.  JCICS explains it well:

“Additionally, many U.S. families are seeking to initiate adoptions of newly orphaned Haitian children. While both airlifts and new adoptions are based on valid concerns and come from an obviously loving heart, neither option is considered viable by any credible child welfare organization. Bringing children into the U.S. either by airlift or new adoption during a time of national emergency can open the door for fraud, abuse and trafficking. Every effort must be made in a timely fashion to locate living parents and extended family members. Many children, who might appear to be orphaned, may in fact be only temporarily separated from their family. Our efforts must be to provide the families and children of Haiti with shelter, nutrition, water and safety. Once the situation in Haiti stabilizes and timely reunification has taken place, adoption may be an option for the children who remain outside of permanent parental care.”  — Source:  JCICS website posted on January 15, 2010

But that should not leave those of us wanting to respond to help orphans in Haiti either hopeless or idle.  We can wait without standing still as we pray, advocate and give. 

In the days to come, as the situation in Haiti quietly fades from the front page and the evening news, please remember to pray.  Pray for the people and especially the children in Haiti.  Pray for the church in Haiti and how God can use your church to respond to the people of Haiti.  Pray about how God can best use you and your family to make His love known to the people of Haiti.

If you have any questions or would like to talk further about responding to the situation in Haiti or about Haitian adoptions, please contact Amy Monroe at tapestry@irvingbible.org.