§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how much aid his Department gives to tackle the problem of street children in South America; who this money is given to; and what the money is spent on. [123728]
§ Hilary BennDFID provides funds to support street children in Colombia (£20,000), Ecuador (£30,000) and Brazil (£241,000). The money is given to local institutions and non-governmental organisations.
Funds are provided for projects such as addressing the issue of social exclusion by street children and their families, and helping disadvantaged street children attend formal schooling with a view to attaining circus qualifications. Funds are also provided to a 'From Street Children to all Children' project to improve the access of children from poor communities in Rio de Janeiro to education, health and other public services and promote a better understanding of the needs of children and youth in the community.