JEDDAH, 17 November 2004 — A national strategy aimed at eliminating poverty is nearing completion. A special panel, which has spent two years developing the strategy, will “present the results to the authorities shortly,” said Social Affairs Minister Ali Al-Namlah. He said Crown Prince Abdullah had instructed the authorities concerned to deal with poverty in a “non-conventional” manner. “We have already worked out some innovative methods and started introducing them,” he added.
Al-Namlah said the name of the Charitable Fund for Combating Poverty has been changed to the National Charitable Fund. The fund intends to make the poor productive citizens, rather than being dependent on society. “The fund will not give the poor any money or grants. On the other hand, we will support their productive programs,” he added. The fund will promote the concept of productive families and finance cottage industries.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd contributed SR50 million to the fund in February at the launch of a major fundraising campaign.
Abdul Ilah Al-Moayyed, chairman of the working team set up to prepare the strategy, said it would take 30 years to bring poverty in the Kingdom down to internationally acceptable levels.
