Adoption inquiries up sharply since south Asian tsunami

The Irish Adoption Board has reported a sharp increase in inquiries from people seeking to adopt children orphaned by the south Asian tsunami disaster.

Tens of thousands of children were left without parents after the devastating tidal wave that struck 11 countries from Malaysia to the east coast of Africa on December 26.

Laws in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia allow for Irish people to adopt, but Indonesia has imposed a temporary ban on adoptions in the wake of the disaster.

UNICEF has also said that the first priority must be to locate living family members of any children who lost their parents in the disaster.