World Magazine recently published a cover story on international adoptions from Ethiopia: Life or Death.
This article discusses Ethiopia’s efforts to rise above the fray when it comes to ethics in adoption. In 2008, adoptions from Guatemala and Vietnam closed, due in part because of poor government oversight.
This was probably a large factor for adoptions from Ethiopia to the U.S. increasing from 284 in 2004 to 2,511 in 2010.
However, in Ethiopia’s efforts to stay above the fray, the process for international adoptions has slowed. In some cases, delay comes down to a life or death issue. “For children already struggling with health issues in the impoverished country, more time in an orphanage could produce long-term problems.”
What can we do to help? “Adoptive families … can do more by making sure they choose agencies with good track records and with clear policies on how they review the backgrounds of orphans.”
See our blog, How to Choose an Adoption Agency, for guidance in making the right decision.
