§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received regarding the situation of the homeless in Russia. [32966]
§ Clare ShortWe have played a significant part in raising awareness of the plight of the homeless in Russia through our support for the prominent St. Petersburg organisation, Nightshelter.
This Know How Fund project, which began in 1996, is due to run for two years and costs £100,000, collaborates with The Big Issue Scotland in helping Nightshelter produce their equivalent publication, The Depths. This has proved to be such a successful project, that the KHF is currently exploring with The Big Issue ways in which similar projects can be implemented in other regions of Russia.
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§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's work in respect of homelessness in Russia. [32964]
§ Clare ShortFollowing a request from the Directors ofThe Big Issue magazine, my Department is supporting a two-year project to provide technical assistance to a Russian counterpart publication set up to help the homeless in St. Petersburg. This support is provided through the Know How Fund.
Last month we responded encouragingly to a further request for assistance for a similar project in other cities in Russia. We are waiting for a more detailed proposal.