News

Numerous requests to adopt Haitian children

San Marino citizens have submitted several requests to adopt Haitian children left orphaned in the aftermath of the recent horrific earthquake. The Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs expresses its most sincere thanks for this gesture, which confirms the generosity of San Marino people, and is pleased to inform citizens of the following. The Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs has promptly demonstrated, also through the Permanent Mission of San Marino to the United Nations in New York, its willingness with regard to adoptions by the Republic’s families as soon as the necessary conditions are met. Custody and international adoption will certainly be among the measures to be adopted in order to guarantee a bright future to the thousands of children, whose families and communities have been destroyed by the earthquake. However, in this very moment, it is necessary to wait that the situation returns to normal, in order to restore the conditions to ascertain the true state of abandonment of children, so that the procedures for adoption of orphans can be carried out in full compliance with national and international rules and in the sole and exclusive interest of minors. A high number of children have certainly been separated from their parents or custodians because of the earthquake. These children are exposed more than others to risks of malnutrition, diseases, permanent psychological damages, sexual exploitation or trafficking in minors. At the time being, International Organisations are all focused on the absolute priority, broadly shared by the San Marino authorities, to rapidly provide children with emergency aid and protection in the places where they live. This is a very clear position, which has proved to be the most effective and respectful for the children and their families also in other humanitarian emergencies.

San Marino, 4 February 2010