4,000 Orphans & Counting

© Photographer: Studio | Agency: Dreamstime.com
"4,000 quake orphans so far, China says
Large number of missing may push orphan number higher, official says"

China is the top source of foreign adopted children in the United States, and many Americans have already contacted adoption agencies about earthquake orphans.

However, "I think the Chinese government will start with domestic adoption first," said Joshua Zhong, the co-founder and president of the U.S.-based Chinese Children Adoption International.


It's so hard to watch the news and see the devastation in China. Lord, please continue to work miracles through the rescue teams and bring healing & hope to the people.

I saw an article about Chinese government is doing all they can to help reunite orphaned children with family members and deal with the intense shock and grief of losing their parents. The article even states that it is much too early to tell how many TRUE orphans are affected because of the continuing rescue and search efforts in the earthquake areas.

And THEN we have the Americans who are seemingly overwhelming International Adoption businesses with inquiries about adopting these newly suffering orphans. I'm sure the cutest, youngest babies and toddlers would be whipped out of the country first, if possible, into the homes of "waiting parents" and away from their existing lives, culture, reality, and shock. Of course, this tragedy eliminates even the threat of a pesky "burfmother" clouding the perceived future of newly formed Americanized families. We could change their names (as is usually done) and the young ones might possibly FORGET these unfortunate happenings. Unfortunately, through much debated opinions, international adoption is not THE answer for the children. It may seem to be the answer for "waiting parents" or it may APPEAR to be, at first. But only at first.


4,000 quake orphans so far, China says
Story Highlights
Large number of missing may push orphan number higher, official says

Adoptions won't begin until order restored to quake-hit region

Priority is to reunite families, government says

Editor's note: "China Earthquake: Ruins and Recovery," airs Friday, May 23 at 11 a.m. GMT on CNN International.

MIANYANG, China (AP) -- Last week's deadly earthquake in China has created more than 4,000 orphans, a Chinese official said.

But Chen Kefu, the deputy director for civil affairs in hard-hit Sichuan province, warned at a news conference Wednesday that it will take time to determine the real number of parentless children because of the large number of people still missing and displaced.

The May 12 quake has killed more than 41,000 people and left more than 5 million homeless.

Thousands of Chinese have called government offices and posted their pleas online to adopt an orphan from the quake.

"Every day my ministry receives hundreds of calls," Jiang Li, China's vice minister of civil affairs, told a news conference Tuesday.

The earthquake also robbed many parents of their children, many of whom were killed when their schools collapsed. Chinese newspapers ran photos of piles of dusty bookbags and of small hands emerging from the rubble.

But officials say adoptions won't begin until the earthquake-affected area is brought under order. Until then, local governments will take care of the orphans.

"We've received many inquiries about adoptions, but at present it's simply too early since we're still in the rescue and recovery stage," said Wang Jun of the Chinese Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, who's handling orphan issues in the city of Deyang on the edge of the quake zone.

Officials are first scrambling to reunite children with family members. Newspapers have run children's photos and names, asking the public for help.

Posters with similar information has been posted at the sports stadium in the city of Mianyang, which has turned into a massive relief camp for thousands of survivors.

China is the top source of foreign adopted children in the United States, and many Americans have already contacted adoption agencies about earthquake orphans.

However, "I think the Chinese government will start with domestic adoption first," said Joshua Zhong, the co-founder and president of the U.S.-based Chinese Children Adoption International.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

All AboutChina • Sichuan Province • Wen Jiabao

Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/22/china.orphans.ap/index.html