MADISON, Wis. -- Heart wrenching pictures of children possibly orphaned by the devastation after the tsunami have forced adoption authorities to issue a warning. The State Department and a coalition of child placement organizations say it's a heart-breaking situation, but it's too early for a mass international adoption effort for the victims.

The pictures of devastation and homeless possibly orphaned children are moving people to call adoption agencies, including many in Madison.

Adoption agency spokespeople contacted by News 3 say while many people are willing to open their homes to these children it has to be confirmed that the children have lost their parents first.

"Everyone's first response is to insure that the children, that their immediate needs are met," said Julie Dahlen of Adoption Advocates. "But secondly that they be reunited either with their biological parents or with extended family. So any thought of removing children from where they are physically is really premature."

Complicating matters for children who may ultimately be adopted are different laws and cultural norms about adoption. Only India and Thailand have good relations on adoptions with the United States.

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