Ebola Epidemic Impacts Adoption Process In W. Africa; More Social Services Needed For Orphans

News outlets report on issues surrounding an increase in the number of orphans due to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

Associated Press: Ebola heightens need for aid for orphans
“The Ebola epidemic has put adoptions in impacted West African countries at a standstill for obvious reasons. … [E]ven as some families keep their commitment to adopt, despite the Ebola threat, the numbers of children in West African orphanages who’ve lost parents is only increasing because of the deadly virus…” (Irvine, 11/20).

IRIN: Ebola orphans now face stigma, stress
“Of the hundreds of children in Sierra Leone who have lost parents to Ebola, the vast majority have lost both their mother and their father. … Nationwide, more than 3,400 children have been directly affected by the virus, including at least 89 children who have lost one parent and more than 795 who have lost both parents to Ebola, according to the MSWGCA [(Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs)]/UNICEF-led Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) network…” (11/20).

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