Wayanad landslide orphans may not be up for adoption soon

Parents hoping to adopt children orphaned by the Wayanad landslide face a long wait and cannot choose the Wayanad children specifically, The Hindu reports. The five children believed to have lost both parents in the disaster are currently in the care of relatives at a relief camp. One injured girl is undergoing treatment.

Under Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) rules, parents must register and wait their turn. Kerala has 1,904 registered parents and only 116 babies who are Legally Free for Adoption. Last year, 114 children were adopted in the State. Relatives can adopt the children, and the State will pay Rs 2,000 monthly till the child turns 18.

The Child Welfare Committee and the District Child Protection Officer are monitoring the children. The government will conduct home studies to assess prospective adoptive parents. The State has set up play areas in 12 relief camps and is monitoring the children's physical and mental health.