RIYADH, 21 November 2002 — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, yesterday called for a national strategy to wipe out poverty as quickly as possible. "We have to admit this problem and implement the strategy immediately," he said after visiting old districts in Riyadh.
"It’s a tough challenge but we can overcome it with the help of God and with our own determination," Prince Abdullah said. "We know that we will not be able to achieve our goal within a day or two," he said and emphasized the need for making an all-out effort to eliminate poverty from the country.
"The problem of poverty cannot be tackled with resolutions, which are not supported by proper planning, and cannot be solved by dreams or ambitions. It requires a comprehensive national strategy based on mutual support," the prince said.
He urged wealthy Saudis to play a major role along with the government to fight poverty. "We have to do our duty toward the people of our country who live in abject poverty, so that every citizen in the Kingdom will be able to lead a decent and honorable life," the prince said.
Prince Abdullah earlier visited a number of houses in the districts and discussed the problems of citizens living there. He saw the appalling living conditions of the poor people who live in small dilapidated houses. He also listened to their tales of misery and their needs. "Today I am with my own people. I came to inspect their condition and see for myself how they live," the prince said.
