Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 17 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 January 2005. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 20 January 2005 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to ensure that orphaned survivors of the tsunami are protected from the activities of paedophile rings; and whether it is his policy to ensure that partner aid agencies take action to minimise such risks.

Answer: Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that orphaned survivors of the tsunami are protected from the activities of paedophile rings; and whether it is his policy to ensure that partner aid agencies take action to minimise such risks. [209829] Hilary Benn: DFID is monitoring the situation closely and will work with partner agencies and affected governments to ensure that everything possible is being done to prevent such horrible abuses. Our partners conform to principled standards of humanitarian action in undertaking their work. At present there has only been a small number of child abduction cases reported. DFID is following this up through discussions with the United Nations Children Fund. DFID has committed £2.25 million to support this agency's work to protect children in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Secondary information