State Department update on Ethiopian Adoptions 6/2011

I just wanted to alert you to a new notice from the State Department regarding Ethiopian Adoptions. It looks like they are indeed processing cases at a rate that will allow them to investigate the validity of the orphan status of each child. This is good. I would say that it would be better to do this prior to the adoptive parents traveling and receiving referral.  This sets up a great deal of potential disappointment. At this time the US embassy seems to be also conducting similar research after the child has been declared adopted and is irrevocable. So, yet another issue. I hope they continue to check into the validity of the children's orphan status and pursue options for children to stay in their first home. I also hope they will adjust the order in which they do things so that it brings less borderline ethical issues in the the interaction with potential and adoptive parents. Just be aware of these things as you  proceed with your adoption. At this time there have been few cases which have had issues, but there have been some. 

Here is the notice: 

you can also access it on their site at: http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=ethiopia_8

Ethiopia

June 2, 2011

Notice: Update on adoption case processing by MOWCYA in Ethiopia

The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia has received information from the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs indicating that processing of cases that received a court summons prior to March 8, 2011 is still ongoing.  This exceeds their estimated 15-20 days to expeditiously process this caseload, as indicated in our April 5 notice.  The Embassy also understands that processing of cases with court summons after March 8 is proceeding at 5 cases per day, and there is no indication that these numbers will increase in the short term.
Prospective Adoptive Parents and parents awaiting final approval of their match from the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs are cautioned to anticipate continued and considerable delays and are encouraged to remain in contact with their agency for updates to their case.
The Embassy's Adoptions Unit can be reached at consadoptionaddis@state.gov.
Please continue to monitor http://adoption.state.gov for updated information as it becomes available.