The Ministry of Social Welfare has revealed that there are many mentally challenged people living on the streets and this is very worrying.

Minister for Social Welfare Rosy Akbar says they are currently looking at ways to overcome the problem.

‘’Beggars and homeless combine is close to 79, total homeless I will not be able to tell but it’s not a very big figure because when we walk around the streets of Suva last month it was close to 12 and many of them are mentally challenged and we had a few who are sleeping on the streets because they are intoxicated’’.

Akbar says the Ministry is doing all it can to help the homeless people in the urban areas.

She adds that being homeless is by choice and everyone needs to work together and look after family members.